For those of us excited about the prospects of a grand prix level electric racing series in 2019, our hopes were given a severe blow this morning as the MotoE paddock in Jerez burnt to the ground, destroying the entire fleet of 18 Energica Ego Corsa spec race bikes. The motorcycles were gathered in Jerez for the second test of the series in anticipation of the first MotoE race at the venue in May. The only good news to come out of this event is that no one was hurt in the fire.
According to
MotoGP.com, the fire, while a major setback, has not scuttled the series for 2019. Once all the parties involved in the creation and managing of the series have been consulted, a revised racing schedule will be released at a future date. However, it is confirmed that the*FIM Enel MotoE World Cup will not race at the Circuito de Jerez on May 5th. With the second round of the series at Le Mans following so shortly after the canceled Jerez round on the 19th of May, it’s viability is also in doubt.
This fire is a major setback to the fledgling series. For the first season, the grid was to*have 18 entries two bikes for each of the seven private teams plus another four for Moto2 or Moto3 teams interested in competing. Being a relatively small company and the sole supplier of the MotoE race bikes, Energica will be hard-pressed to crank out the entire allotment of 18 motorcycles in short order.
The MotoE schedule was previously set to take place on the following rounds:
Jerez – 5th May
Le Mans – 19th May
Sachsenring – 7th July
Austria – 11th August
Misano – 15th September (Two Race Event)
Begin Press Release:
MotoE
will race in 2019; calendar to be revised
Further information released following fire at MotoE Test in Jerez.
Early on the 14th March, a fire in the newly-built E-paddock at the Circuito de Jerez Angel Nieto destroyed the majority of material for the FIM Enel MotoE
World Cup. No one suffered any injury as a result and the damage was purely material. This is the key concern for all those involved as safety is the top priority on and off track.
As previously stated, an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, the results of which will be published as soon as it*has concluded.
The FIM Enel MotoE
World Cup is a competition born from innovation, powered by 100% renewable energy. This ambition to evolve and experiment with new technologies brings with it an associated risk. It can be confirmed, however, that no motorcycles were charging at the time of the incident in the box in which the fire started.
Dorna Sports and all of our partners in this new venture are committed to getting the FIM Enel MotoE
World Cup back on track as soon as possible, with work already underway to begin rebuilding and replacing materials and motorcycles lost in the fire.
MotoE
will race in 2019 and a revised calendar will be announced in due course. However, it can be confirmed that the FIM Enel MotoE
World Cup will not race at the Circuito de Jerez Angel Nieto as part of the Gran Premio Red Bull de Espaρa this season.
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Fire In Jerez Paddock Destroys Entire MotoE Field appeared first on
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