By aftermarketNews staff
LONDON Plans for the EV Cup http://www.evcup.com, the world’s first circuit race series exclusively featuring zero-emission electric vehicles, were unveiled recently. The race series will launch its inaugural season this summer.
The series also announced a newly formed partnership with CAA Sports, a division of Creative Artists Agency — the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency, representing many of the most successful professionals working in film, television, music, sports, video games, theatre and the Internet.
The EV Cup will have access to CAA Sports’ global resources and expertise to create innovative opportunities for the circuit across a wide array of areas including corporate partnerships, business development, brand marketing, event management and media advisory, among others.
The seven-race, green motorsport series will include two principle classes of zero emission electric cars – the City EV cars, where drivers will compete in carbon-free, race-prepared urban THINK cars, and the Sports EV class, which will feature teams racing 185 KPH Westfield iRacers.
A third category, the Prototype EV class, will not feature races, but rather base its results on time trials that showcase the latest non-production electric vehicles on circuits through street and race courses. Models of the THINK City EV Cup Edition and the Westfield iRacer are on display at the International Autosport Show.
Planned races in the EV Cup are being staged in the U.S., U.K., Portugal and Spain, with a city street race also expected to take place in the near future. Several tracks and dates in the U.K. have already been confirmed, including Silverstone on Aug. 6, Snetterton on Aug. 20, Rockingham on Sept. 10 and Brands Hatch on Oct. 23.
Race day will include qualifying rounds and all car batteries will be recharged at on-site facilities. Each sprint race will be contested over 20 to 30 minutes of competitive laps.
“The electric car is already changing the world and soon will begin to revolutionize the face of traditional motorsport across the world by embracing the issues of the day from straightforward zero emissions, to eco-friendly cars, sustainability and corporate social responsibility,” said Sylvain Filippi, director of the EV Cup.
“We believe the commercial world will take notice when they begin to recognize a new opportunity to partner with a new and exciting sporting event like the EV Cup and add significantly to their sustainability credentials. We are creating an opportunity for the EV manufacturers and suppliers to promote their technologies in a new and exciting way. Green motor sport is a reality.”
The EV Cup already has early support of such notables as former Formula One British champion Damon Hill and Ben Collins, who appeared in the popular television series Top Gear as The Stig.