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The present meets the future in Victory’s team at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hillclimb

Electric vs petrol for Victory at Pikes Peak

Written by Ben Purvis , Date 2:52 PM
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Victory has presented its team for this year’s Pikes Peak International Hillclimb and it’s unique in containing both petrol and electric bikes both racing together in the ‘experimental’ class.

Former winner Jeremy Toye will pilot the Roland Sands-built ‘Project 156’ race bike, which made its debut last year and features the 1200cc engine from the new Victory Octane. Meanwhile journalist and racer Don Canet will compete on the electric Empulse RR that raced at last year’s Isle of Man TT.5729d75b3b063

Alex Hultgren, Director of Marketing for Victory Motorcycles, explained the idea. He said: “Victory Racing serves as an international R&D development program and test beds for future products, and since Pikes Peak is arguably the most challenging race in America – it’s exactly where we need to be. We are proud to bring the Victory Racing team back this year for participate in the 100th anniversary of the ‘Race to the Clouds’ and try to take back the mountain for an American manufacturer. We can’t wait to see which bike comes out on top in this battle between gas and electric motorcycles.”

The short distance of the Pikes Peak hillclimb allied to the incredible altitude means it’s a race where electric machines actually have an advantage over petrol power. They don’t lose performance in thin air near the top of the mountain.

Speaking about the Empulse RR, Brandon Kraemer, Product Manager for Victory, said: “One of the inherent advan5729d70891875tages of an electric motorcycle up Pikes Peak versus a normally aspirated engine is the consistent performance regardless of the thinning air. Running this bike at the Isle of Man TT last year helped us move our development forward, and by entering Pikes Peak with a new set of challenges, we’re ensuring we can push the development of our electric powertrains even further.”

The race takes place on Sunday June 26.

Article Categories:   News Victory

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