AHRMA– Making the Past Fast!
AHRMA Announces Woodcraft Technologies as 2019 Title Sponsor for Formula Lightning Series
GOODLETTSVILLE, TN, DECEMBER 13, 2018 — AHRMA is pleased to announce that Woodcraft Technologies will be the 2019 title sponsor for AHRMA’s Formula Lightning Series. This 12-track series will be run nationwide beginning in February 2019. This solidifies Woodcraft’s commitment to the up and coming sport of zero-emissions racing. For the past five years, Woodcraft Technologies has sponsored the eMotoRacing “Varsity Challenge” scholarship.
What is Formula Lightning?
The Formula Lightning (formerly eMotoRacing) series is the PREMIER zero emissions motorcycle road racing series in the US. This means, if your race bike emits no exhaust while going around the track, you can use any means of propulsion you like; such as electricity, magnetism, gravity, flywheels, springs, etc. We welcome both stock and custom-built electric motorcycles, and innovations such as harnessing kinetic energy are encouraged.
Formula Lightning (FL) was established in 2013 to fill the demand for a zero-emissions motorcycle racing series that would demonstrate advanced and compact e-superbike technology and excitement. A strategic partnership with AHRMA has given us desirable race tracks and reliable race dates. Initially started by avid racer and solar power advocate, Arthur Kowitz of Ormond Beach, Florida, the Formula Lightning series is now in its sixth season, sponsored by Woodcraft Technologies, Inc. Competition bikes are race-prepped production units from Energica, Zero, and Brammo, plus custom-built prototypes of all kinds.
Formula Lightning Varsity Challenge
Along with our regular season events, Formula Lightning holds a Varsity Challenge (VC), where students from high-profile engineering colleges, around the nation, compete against each other with their handcrafted e-bikes for scholarship cash and bragging rights. This event provides the opportunity for students to hone their racing skills and advance technologies in the area of zero-emissions.
Collegiate engineering teams are invited to design, build, and race production motorcycles converted to electric, full on prototypes, and even powered by any zero-emission method (flywheel, magnetism, piezo-electric, etc). The race is run concurrent with AHRMA’s Formula Lightning class, under all Formula Lightning rules except for battery voltage. VC teams are not limited as to battery voltage, as long as normal safety concerns are met.
AHRMA’s race director allows the VC teams to race on track side-by-side private ebike teams, with the understanding that the VC teams will not get points toward the Formula Lightning championship. To sweeten the race for VC teams, Woodcraft Technologies sponsors a $1000 scholarship to the top team. Recent entries have come from Virginia Tech, University of Sherbrooke (Quebec), Rochester Institute of Technology, and University of Calgary. Other schools with programs underway are Penn State and University of Michigan. Look for the Varsity Challenge this year at Gingerman Raceway, August 2-4.
Series Schedule
2019 CPL Systems National Roadrace Series
2/21-24 – Roebling Road Raceway; Bloomingdale, GA
3/8-10 – NOLA Motorsports Park; Avondale, LA
3/29-31 – Carolina Motorsports Park; Kershaw, SC
4/26-28 – Willow Springs International Raceway; Rosamond, CA
5/24-26 – New Jersey Motorsports Park; Millville, NJ
6/28-30 – Heartland Park, Topeka, KS
7/26-28 – Road America; Elkhart Lake, WI
8/2-4 – Gingerman Raceway; South Haven, MI
8/16-18 – Buttonwillow Raceway Park Buttonwillow, CA
8/30-9/1 – Utah Motorsports Campus; Grantsville, UT
9/6-8 – Talladega Gran Prix Raceway; Munford, AL
10/3-6 – Barber Motorsports Park; Birmingham, AL