This is the best offer you'll get all year!

Here's a press release from Arthur Kowitz. He's set up a race series for zero-emmission bikes in the USA that's a decisive step back to motor racing as we know it. Unlike the FIM/Azhar Hussien corporate lovefest, this is for real prototype racers. FFs? sure. Streamliners, bodywork? Definitely. The FIM, Who? The rules are very liberal, with a few oddities generated mainly by motorised bicycle people who apparantly race with controls that stick out and catch on things (like other peoples streamlined bodywork). Sounds very dodgy, but nothing that can't be worked round.

I'm too old and poor to have much input but here's the chance for all you keen, strong, young people to get involved in helping save the planet and improve the lot of two-wheeler users eveywhere - whilst going motor racing, what's not to like?

Most impressive feature of the discussion about bodywork rules that have taken place with Arthur has been the way all the people actually working on streamlined two-wheelers, internationally even, are in accord on these rules. There is a body of solid knowledge around two-wheeler aerodynamics, it's just a pity the FIM, Honda, BMW, etc. aren't in on the act. That's denial for you.

Hello Race fans,

Many of us in the USA have longed for a venue that embraces motorcycle racing for the future.
We have now set the table for racers, engineers, and innovators to stretch their wings and show us their stuff.
For 2014, AHRMA and eMotoRacing have committed to a full season of exhibition roadracing at 10 of America's favorite racetracks, covering every region in the USA.
Rules that encourage innovation, while maintaining a high value on safety, have been published.
Race entries are now easy and very affordable.

Now it is on us, the progressive motorsports fan, to build, enter, encourage, enlist, recruit, and help in every way to fill the grids with racers. We need entrants.

Lets all help by encouraging university engineering departments, ebike manufacturers, current gas bike racers, ebike dealers, garage raceshops, track officials, journalists, and potential sponsors to participate.

Visit the AHRMA.org website, or eMotoRacing on Facebook for continuing information.
I thank everyone who has already jumped in to help, and everyone who will do their part in the coming weeks and months.

You can start by forwarding this letter to blogs, groups, sites, and individuals interested in our sport.

Arthur Kowitz

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Not so fast

http://www.electricracenews.com/2013/12/emotoracing-rules-open-letter-new.html

There are a couple small, potentially sticky, points:

The rules aren't allowing full fairings, and probably don't allow a feet-forward design. While the primary purpose of this is to establish electrically powered racing, some had long seen the TTXGP as an opportunity to bring full streamlining back into racing. With the switch from TTXGP to eRoadRacing, those rules dropped the allowances for full streamlining, to focus on electric racing. I see the eMotoRacing rules make the same decision.

The weight is limited to 600 lbs. TTXGP history includes a serious problem in 2010 for one TTXGP participant, Chip Yates, who had originally planned to enter the TTXGP but his design choices led to a bike that was too heavy for TTXGP's rules. There was acrimony. The 2010 TTXGP rules had a slightly higher weight limit, 650 lbs if I recall right. Lightning Motorcycles might not fit the 600 lbs. weight limit. On the other hand, racers do better with lighter bikes.

Fast enough!

As part of the Monoliner project I've seen the correspondance that has taken place between Arthur and all the people involved in "streamlined" two-wheeler competition. This has included other people bulding FF mules prior to E-bike FF race-projects and (well known) motorcycle streamliner specialists.

As I said above this has revealed a wide agreement on the bodywork limits. The rules I have seen certainly permit full bodywork and FFs, except only rule 7a, an inconvenience that which can be accomodated.

More importantly Arthur has been very clear that he supports innovation and looks forward to seeing streamliners of all types - subject only to safety concerns noted above. The FIM approach is a lesson in how to stop racing improving a breed, Arthurs "libre" approach, at a much lower cost base, is how to do it. Let a thousand flowers blossom!

It's quaint to hear complaints from motorcyclists have had with (TTXGP)regulations. My undertstanding of motor racing is that you read the rules carefully, then devise a way of winning without actually breaking them. This is a new formula. Read the rules. Get devising. It's what's happening in F.1 now.

If it works everyone will know a lot more next season. I don't get the impression that Arthur wants to cast anything in stone. But his address isn't secret, anyone actually going racing will be talking to him.