2011 TT Zero: MotoCzysz Team Takes First, Second Places

By Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

Contributing Writer BIO

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield is a self-confessed petrol head. She grew up in a carless family but was able at a very early age to name cars passing her on... More

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2011 TT Zero Motorcycle Race Winning Team MotoCzysz

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This year’s TT Zero - annual all-electric version of the iconic Isle of Man TT Motorcycle Race, has been won by British motorcyclist Michael Rutter on his MotoCzysz E1PC.

Delayed by 24 hours due to heavy rain, the motorcycle race took place on the Isle of Man, and included riders from Europe, Japan and the U.S. 

The podium was dominated by the MotoCzysz team(procounced “Moto-sizz”) who took first and second place with the winning motorcycle being clocked at over 149 mph during the courses’ Sulby straight.

2011 TT Zero Motorcycle Race Winning Team MotoCzysz

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Designed and built by Oregon-based firm MotoCzysz, the E1PC features a 12.5 kilowatt-hour battery pack capable of providing up to 40 miles of range at race speeds. 

They key to the E1PC is its custom-built oil-cooled electric motor capable of producing 150 kilowatts of power - that’s more power than the motor in the 2011 Nissan Leaf. 

This is possible due to the way in which the motor is designed. Unlike traditional air-cooled electric which overheat if leaf running at peak power for more than a few minutes, MotoCzysz’s oil-cooled motor can run for extended periods at peak output without failing.

Compared to last year’s event, the average speeds of the motorcycles taking part were considerably higher, with Rutter averaging a speed of 99.604 mph over the entire course. His team-mate, American Mark Miller, averaged 98.288 mph. 

2011 TT Zero Motorcycle Race Winning Team MotoCzysz

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Third placed George Spence, riding on the Ion Horse, was over 10 mph slower over his lap. 

All except three of the nine competitors finished the race, with one rider pulling out mid-race. 

Rider John Burrows, Roy Richardson, on his converted 2008 Suzuki, finished the race last after an unknown mechanical failure mid-race. In the best spirit of the event and determined to finish, Richardson pushed his heavy motorcycle over the finish line to cheers from the crowd.