Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Posted on 01/10/2026 2:15:26 PM PST by WhiteHatBobby0701
Orlando Speed World Dragway, an NHRA member track, has decided to ban fully electric vehicles from competition, including test and tune days. The Dragway says they’re making this decision for safety reasons.
After reviewing emergency response procedures for its track, for specific full electric vehicles the venue decided the risks fully outweighed the rewards.
The mid-Florida track enumerated its rationale for banning full electric vehicles, with the ban taking effect immediately, applying solely to full electric vehicles but allowing hybrid vehicles to continue to compete, as well as to test & tune.
The risks include the following:
The battery may release toxic and flammable gas after an on-track collision;
First responders may not be able to confirm that the ignition is fully “off”;
The doors may not unlock from the outside following an on-track collision;
If the driver is unconscious following an on-track incident, whether by collision or with a personal medical problem, there is a chance that the chassis may continue to be live. Therefore, removing the driver could put a responder at risk;
The car may not roll with power disconnected; towing the car with current equipment would be impossible for the venue;
Electric vehicles require specific fire suppression systems such as water baths.
These decrees remind this writer of an incident with an electric vehicle during the Long Beach Formula Drift event a few years back. A competitor built a full electric vehicle to compete at this race, one that had been approved by the tech department at Formula Drift. The competitor towed to Long Beach and, before arrival, contacted the city of Long Beach’s fire department to ensure that they were aware this vehicle would be competing.
The car never turned a lap, because the venue would not allow it to do. They didn’t want to see fire equipment; they didn’t even bring the fire department to the dance to make their decision. They just decided not to permit it from the get-go. That same weekend, a Ferrari burnt to the ground after crashing.
The full-electric vehicle did compete elsewhere but it was too slow to make its way through eliminations. The competitor went back to using a full ICE-propelled race car after just a single race. OTOH, full electric vehicles have done exceptionally well at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, winning overall in that early-morning dash up to 14,100 feet atop the Peak. Hybrid vehicles are mandatory in most prototype racing; with their extraordinary length of events, full electric cars might not be viable, even with swap-out batteries.
One of NHRA’s – and all of drag racing’s – most beloved drivers, Don Garlits has been working on a fully electric dragster for quite a while. HIs goal has been to exceed 200mph with the machine in the quarter-mile. He might be able to do that, hopefully soon, at Gainesville Raceway – unless they join Orlando Speed World Dragway in banning full-electric racers.
|
|
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
https://www.dragzine.com/features/lessons-learned-from-the-ev-battery-fire-at-wagler-motorsports-park/
Agree 100%...
We’ll never know if the world speed record of 43 mph for an electric vehicle could be broken then?
Formula E races primarily in city centres because of resources. Miami moved this year to Hard Rock Stadium from Homestead in that series and the only three permanent circuits in Formula E are Ciudad de México, Jarama, and Shanghai.
This one. 308 MPH
This one. Zero ton60 in less than 2 seconds.
ROFL! Well placed and well timed.
There are a million videos on YouTube showing electric cars competing with no concerns.
The two way flying mile at bonneville was set at over 200mph back in the late 90s.
This one. 0-60 1.9 seconds. Top speed limiter 192 MPH
And, it can re-ignite any time within that 24-hour period.
Not to mention the high volume of hydrogen flouride gas the fire produces. (hydrogen flouride gas turns into hydroflouric acid when it comes in contact with water)
👍
The concern isn't with the competition.
The concern is when (not if) a battery pack catches fire during the competition.
See my post #13 for the details.
I guess no one told them that the same problems exist with hybrids re many of the reasons they list for banning EVs...
ME: “There are a million videos on YouTube showing electric cars competing with no concerns.”
YOU: The concern isn’t with the competition.
Perhaps you misread my post.
with no concerns
LOL!
2013.
Well, they need a 440-yard long extension cord.
It is timeless.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.