When the HYRAZE League is launched in 2023, it will be the world’s first automobile racing series to use environmentally-produced hydrogen as its energy source. It marks the birth of a virtually zero-emission, safe and sustainable form of motorsport, offering state-of-the-art entertainment.
The use of cutting-edge technology means there is no need for there to be any conflict between action-packed motorsport, the conservation of resources and safety in the HYRAZE League. The races will be held with 800-hp hydrogen cars. The energy for the zero-emission drivetrain is provided by green hydrogen, which is converted into electricity in the car’s two fuel cells, before being transported to the four electric motors. ADAC e.V., DEKRA SE, DMSB e.V., HWA AG, Schaeffler AG and WESA joined forces today to present a future-oriented concept for sustainable motorsport at a project presentation in Stuttgart.
The HYRAZE League is breaking new ground, and not only in terms of the drivetrain concept. The braking system in the four-wheel drive cars will also be the only one of its type in international motor racing. Any brake dust produced does not simply make its way unchecked into the environment, but is captured in the car and disposed of in an environmentally neutral manner afterwards. Special tyres developed from renewable raw materials also reduce tyre wear. Together with a strictly limited number of tyres, this significantly reduces the amount of fine dust pollution.
The new technology also has a major advantage for the racing drivers: the energy concept, which is optimised for sprint races, allows them to use the car’s maximum performance for the full race distance without any limitations. The ability to rapidly fill both tanks during a race – a fundamental advantage of hydrogen technology over electric-battery driven cars – means the races can be extended to endurance distances at any time.
The chassis parts are manufactured from a natural fibre composite and can be designed freely by the teams as they see appropriate. This ensures that each team can present its own design language and body shape, independently of any production reference. Clear aerodynamics regulations ensure that no costly aerodynamics competition arises, despite the freedom when it comes to chassis design. Under the outer skin, the technology of the first generation of cars is based largely on standard parts, developed by the technology partners involved in the project. The holistic approach ensures that the HYRAZE League is a sustainable, environmentally friendly and technology-driven form of motorsport, which guarantees virtually equal opportunity for amateurs and professionals.
The HYRAZE League is also breaking new ground with an innovative linking of Esports and actual motorsport. This allows it to address and inspire not only the fans at the circuit, but also a young, digitally-conscious target group. The teams have two drivers for each car – one for the actual races and one who takes part in the Esports events, which also count towards the championship. The results of both races count towards the championship standings in equal measures, so that one team will eventually be crowned the overall winner of both disciplines – an absolute novelty in motorsport. As series partner, the World eSports Association (WESA) is significantly involved in developing the general conditions in a virtual environment, in order to ensure the HYRAZE League sim competitions are of the highest standard. Regulations, arbitration and the fair incorporation of teams and gamers are WESA’s core areas of expertise in the world of electronic games.
Several strong partners are taking on the challenge of developing this revolutionary project together, in order to realign areas of automobile racing in keeping with the spirit of the age.
With the DMSB (Deutscher Motor Sport Bund) and Europe’s largest mobility association, ADAC e. V., two experienced partners will be ensuring from the word go that the HYRAZE League offers motorsport of the highest standard. There will be a clear regulatory system within a professionally organised championship. Given the outstanding international status of both partners, attempts are to be made to establish the ground-breaking racing series around the world.
The overall concept and key components of the car are being developed by the engineering experts at HWA AG. Part of this overall concept is a conscious decision to forego downforce: to the delight of fans, this will make overtaking easier and guarantee action out on the track. The lack of downforce means longer braking distances, which primarily benefits optimised energy recovery through regeneration, as well as the sporting side of things. The energy gathered during braking is saved in compact, high-performance battery cells. This means maximum efficiency whilst at the same time conserving resources.
Together with the motorsport safety experts at DEKRA and DMSB, a safety concept for the race cars has also been developed, which sets new benchmarks for its type. The focus was primarily on protecting hydrogen components, drivers and spectators. Flexible elements dissipate energy in case of a T-bone crash, while an extremely rigid carbon structure effectively protects the carbon-fibre hydrogen tank against any conceivable loads in case of a crash. Appropriate, independent tests are being performed on prototype parts by DEKRA in its test lab. The goal is to develop a set of FIA-approved regulations.
The world’s leading automotive supplier, Schaeffler, is prominently involved in the project as innovation and technology partner for components such as electric motors and steering. The steer-by-wire system implemented in the car manages the steering through electronic impulses. This allows the mechanical linking of the steering column to be done away with completely – a big advantage, especially for autonomous cars. Vehicle dynamics functions, such as torque vectoring, can be connected via intelligent control systems.
Future-oriented drive forms, resource-efficient automobile production, and extreme safety – the HYRAZE League applies the latest technology in all areas to set important impetus for technology transfer, thus making it the ideal development platform for the mobility of the future.
