Okay, that’s the abbreviated version. It really happened like this: “Hey. I know. Let’s get some engineers together, build a 32-foot long, mustard yellow, electric racing vehicle and go for a land speed record.”

Here I thought meetings were boring and ineffectual. Evidently, meetings at ABB must sometimes be pretty cool.

While Katrina and I have talked about vehicles here before (such as those using fuel cells or hybrid power), the e=motion car is intriguing—even for a guy who loves internal combustion. Basically, I don’t care if something’s powered by hamsters or, in this case, 52 Exide car batteries. If they’re building it for a 300 mph run at a land speed record, I’m there.

What an amazing team to do it…

• Frank Griffith, an accomplished VSD authority with several design firsts under his belt
• Steve Malpass, experienced automotive VSD designer and builder
• John Schofield, who helped develop the world’s first thyristor drives
• Colin Fallows, experienced vehicle designer and drag racer, afterburner jet dragster builder and record holder
• Mark Newby, accomplished drag and air racer with aerobatics experience

The car itself is pretty amazing as well. Fifty-two 12v lead acid batteries in four packs producing about 600vdc, according to ABB. From there, the output is converted by one of the company’s VSDs and supplied to two motors, each rated at 50 hp. All of that is beneath the 32-foot long aluminum and carbon fiber body that’s only two feet high and 20 in. wide, stopped by Wilwood drag racing brake units.

While the passions and (no pun intended) drive involved in such a technical yet fun project fascinate me, there might be an even bigger issue in this story.

Projects such as this one don’t happen easily. It’s not like a NASCAR or IndyCar sponsorship. Sure, such sponsorships cost millions per racing season. At least those companies get regular exposure with predictable ROI. ABB’s not getting nearly the PR exposure with this, yet they still backed it. ROI for such a venture is likely on the questionable side. So, passions, technical prowess, need for speed, and public relations—somehow—not only came together, likely in a conference room, but someone had to sign off on a lot of invoices. God bless you, Invoice Signer-Offer.

Wish the team well, and keep your Nomex-gloved fingers crossed that these companies—and individuals—succeed.

I’ll soon follow-up on this and other blog articles to help keep you posted.

Cheers, and enjoy your weekend. Me? I’m going to participate in my favorite form of racing…