Chip Yates Sets Eight Official Land Speed Records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Retires

Chip Yates Sets Eight Official Land Speed Records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Retires

• SWIGZ^® Electric Superbike sets an astounding eight land speed records in one week
  • Four Official FIM World Records
  • Four Official AMA National Records
• Peak speed of 200.7 MPH achieved despite numerous setbacks
• BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials Bonneville event marks the end of the road for the famed 258hp all-electric superbike
• Chip Yates retires from professional motorcycle roadracing after powerful final performance

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, USA, September 3, 2011-----American superbike rider and electric vehicle pioneer Chip Yates and team electrical engineer Robert Ussery have written the final chapter of the SWIGZ.COM Electric Superbike in thrilling fashion on the legendary Bonneville Salt Flats.

In the last official event of SWIGZ.COM Pro Racing USA’s 2011 electric racing and technology demonstration campaign that has seen success in WERA Motorcycle Roadracing, the Mojave Mile Shootout, Fastrack Riders Auto Club Speedway, and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Chip Yates and his all-volunteer team have claimed four Official FIM World Records as well as four official AMA National land speed records in their rookie attempt at land speed racing.

TABLE OF SWIGZ.COM’s FOUR NEW FIM WORLD RECORDS:

Overcoming a variety of obstacles including a chain breaking at 173mph, underperforming lithium-ion batteries, a half-day of canceled racing for high winds, incomplete battery pack recharges from the strict 2-hour FIM turnaround rules, and a head-on collision at over 150mph with a mile marker that broke Chip’s helmet, windshield and fairings, the SWIGZ.COM Bonneville Team of Robert Ussery, Jason Fairclough, Andrew Roberts, and Randy Hall regrouped to deliver a nearly impossible result.

CHIP YATES:  “What a way to retire!  I had planned to stop racing motorcycles after Bonneville and this result makes it feel like we’re really going out at the top of our game, even beating a record held by the legendary Max Biaggi - and I guarantee this is the only time I could beat Max at anything!  I want to thank UQM Technologies for stepping up to help us achieve our dreams and providing us with the best electric motor money can buy.”

The SWIGZ Team went into the BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials with the objective of beating the top speeds set by Lightning Motorcycles during the recent S.C.T.A. Speed Week event in addition to attempting to set four Official FIM World Records.  But after some early test runs revealed problems with battery performance, the mission was changed to solely focus on trying to set the Official FIM and AMA Records.

ROBERT USSERY: “When it became clear to us that we wouldn’t be able to beat Lightning Motorcycle’s unofficial record of 215.907 because of the our batteries compounded by only having 45 minutes to try to recharge them between runs because of the tough FIM impound rules, we directed all our efforts to going after the FIM and AMA Official Records in the four key electric motorcycle classes.  Not only was it incredibly fun, but pushing for the records allowed us to demonstrate the flexibility of our electric superbike and the dominating power of our UQM Technologies 258hp, 400 ft/lbs liquid-cooled electric motor.  I wish we could have passed Lightning’s amazing top speed, but I am over the moon with what we achieved on our first try out here.  This is the same bike that Chip rode to 2^nd in class and a record-setting result at Pikes Peak, did a 1:37 at Auto Club Speedway, beat 1,000cc superbikes in a straight line at Mojave Mile, and took two podiums in the WERA Heavyweight Twins Superbike and Superstock gas bike races in January, so it’s been a pretty versatile technology platform from an engineering standpoint.”

Chip and the team have not yet publicly announced their next move, but will continue to cheer on the other top electric motorcycle teams such as Mission Motors, Lightning Motorcycles, Brammo, Zero Motorcycles, MotoCzysz, KillaCycle, and Roehr as these companies carry the ball forward in advancing the technology and public perceptions of electric powertrain technology.

BONNEVILLE PHOTOS DOWNLOAD LINK:  https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0Bw4i_ga8XY0OZWMxNWQxOTgtNTAwYy00MmI2LWFkMWYtNTM3YzdlM2I4MmM5&hl=en_US

BONNEVILLE HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO LINK: 

http://youtu.be/D_SpGmDveOk

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR EDITORS

On the various types of land speed records:  The SWIGZ.COM Pro Racing Team made the decision to attempt four FIM World Records rather than compete in other, unofficial land speed events.  Established in 1904, the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) (http://www.fim-live.com/en/) is the governing body of motorcycle racing (MotoGP, World Superbike, World Endurance, etc) and the highest authority in the world for sanctioning and certifying motorcycle land speed records.  FIM World Records are internationally recognized as the pinnacle of record-setting and allow record-holders to say "World's Fastest" in addition to being accepted by the Guinness Book of World Records.  They are also the most difficult to achieve, with strict rules on everything from the bike configuration to the allowable winds, and require a flying mile average speed in one direction to be immediately followed by a flying mile average speed in the opposite direction within 2-hours on the same day.  Those two flying mile average speeds are then averaged together to arrive at the Official World Record average speed.  While many other organizations such as S.C.T.A. offer unofficial record-setting opportunities not requiring opposite direction runs to eliminate tailwind effects and allowing two runs from two different days to later be averaged for a record, only the FIM can issue Official WorldLand Speed Records for motorcycles.

On not going faster than 200.7mph:  The SWIGZ.COM Pro Racing Team made the decision to attempt four FIM World Records on July 15^th and immediately set out to improve the aerodynamics, which based on the real Bonneville data collected, are good for a top speed of 225.3mph with the power available from the UQM Technologies PowerPhase electric motor, even taking normal voltage sag into account.  However, the lithium-ion polymer pouch cells used on the SWIGZ roadracing superbike were not designed for land speed racing and could not sustain the extremely long-duration amperage draws required.  By the time Yates hit 200mph, the cells were sagging badly below their specification sheet performance levels, and Yates’ speed dropped through the flying mile time traps after the cells had already been putting out over 530 amps for over 38 seconds.  To achieve the speeds that the UQM motor and new aerodynamics are capable of, all new batteries would be required.

On Chip Yates’ Retirement:  Chip Yates began his racing career incredibly late, riding a motorcycle on a track for the first time in 2007 at age 36 as a WERA red-shirt novice.  From this first WERA race in April, 2007 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, he advanced rapidly and became a WERA and AFM Expert racer for the 2008 season.  With the help of his Crew Chief Jimmy Summers, Yates turned pro just 19 months after his first WERA novice race, earning his AMA Pro Daytona SportBike license for the 2009 AMA season and within 24 months of starting out he also earned an FIM Supersport World Championship racing license for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.  Yates took six AMA Pro starts and was steadily advancing upwards in the finishing order until a broken pelvis at AMA Heartland Park Topeka put an end to his 2009 debut AMA Pro season.  Along with the likes of Josh Hayes and Jason DiSalvo, Chip is one of only a handful of American racers to ever take a checkered flag in an FIM Supersport World Championship event.  Chip spent his racing budget and efforts building the SWIGZ Electric Superbike during the 2010 season, and then abstained from gasoline superbike racing during 2011 to direct his energy and resources to demonstrating the efficacy of the patent-pending electric technology and software that he and his small team of Robert Ussery, Ben Ingram and Jimmy Summers had created.

In Memory of Matthew Parker:  The team’s eight Official Land Speed Records were achieved in memory of Matthew Parker, a 14-year-old Utah native who tragically lost his life July 28^th on Lake Powell.  Matthew is the nephew of Chip’s manufacturing leader, Chris Parker, owner of CPR Fabrications of Costa Mesa, California.  Chip’s electric superbike carries special red decals on the tank, lower fairings, and tail section to honor Matt, in addition to carrying the team’s American flag during the high speed runs, which is being presented to Matthew’s parents, Mike Parker and Denise Combs Parker in Hurricane, Utah on September 3, 2011.  Facebook pages entitled “Remembering Matthew Parker” and “The Matthew Parker Project” have been established to honor his memory and the public is encouraged to visit and “Like” these wonderful tribute pages.

BUB Racing:  Media members are encouraged to contact BUB Racing, the organizers of the Official FIM and AMA Land Speed Event for Motorcycle Record-Setting:

Linnea Johnston

BUB Racing, Inc

e-mail:  linneaj@bubracing.com

Phone:  (530) 272-4310 (Hours 8-3 PST, Tues-Fri)

Website:  www.bubspeedtrials.com

Chip’s Electric Superbike Sponsors:  UQM Technologies // McKenna, Long & Aldridge LLP // Eidos LLC // Yoyodyne // Ohlins USA // MoTeC Systems USA // Dainese // SolarReserve // Manzanita Micro // MicroStrain // Performance Machine // CPR Fabrication // Catalyst Racing Composites // Stompgrip // Scottoiler // Thermosman Suspension

FIM ADMONISHMENT:  All records SUBJECT TO FIM RATIFICATION according to FIM 018-30 "Publication of Results and Advertising"

For more information, please contact:  racing@swigz.com

** ENDS **

** MEDIA ALERT **

Chip Yates to Attempt Official FIM World Land Speed Records at BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials, Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

August 27^th – September 1^st, 2011

Orange County, California, August 12, 2011-----American superbike rider and electric vehicle pioneer Chip Yates has entered the SWIGZ.COM Electric Superbike in its last official event of the team’s 2011 racing and technology demonstration campaign that has seen success in WERA Motorcycle Roadracing, the Mojave Mile Shootout, Fastrack Riders Auto Club Speedway, and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

CHIP YATES: “The BUB FIM / AMA Speed Trials at Bonneville is a fitting final event for the fastest, most powerful, and most technically advanced electric superbike on the planet.  I plan to go out in style and deliver the public some eye-watering results as a tribute to this incredible machine and the pride of American ingenuity that it represents.”

Yates will be attempting to set official FIM World Records on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah during race week, weather permitting.  In the event of bad weather or catastrophic technical problems, the team will consider entering another, similar event to demonstrate top speed before retiring the superbike from active competition.

Media members are encouraged to attend by contacting:

Linnea Johnston

BUB Racing, Inc

e-mail:  linneaj@bubracing.com

Phone:  (530) 272-4310 (Hours 8-3 PST, Tues-Fri)

Website:  www.bubspeedtrials.com

Chip’s all-volunteer team has been busy preparing for this special event.  Key race engineer and electrical guru Robert Ussery will lead the SWIGZ.COM Pro Racing USA team on the salt during race week.  In preparation for the FIM high-speed record attempts, Chief Engineer Ben Ingram has made a number of changes to the superbike including aerodynamic enhancements, wheelbase extension, and power.  Working together with UQM Technologies (www.uqm.com), the output of the liquid-cooled PowerPhase electric motor has been raised to an incredible 258 horsepower, an increase of 18 hp over Chip’s record-setting Pikes Peak bike.

The team’s Bonneville entry and record attempting runs are being done in memory of Matthew Parker, a 14-year-old Utah native who tragically lost his life July 28^th on Lake Powell.  Matthew is the nephew of Chip’s manufacturing leader, Chris Parker, owner of CPR Fabrications of Costa Mesa, California.  Chip will carry special red decals on the tank and lower fairings to honor Matt, in addition to carrying the team’s American flag during the high speed runs, which will be presented to Matthew’s parents, Mike Parker and Denise Combs Parker in Hurricane, Utah immediately after the race week.  Facebook pages entitled “Remembering Matthew Parker” and “The Matthew Parker Project” have been established to honor his memory and the public is encouraged to visit and “Like” these wonderful tribute pages.

A formal press release along with high resolution photos and video will be issued by SWIGZ.COM Pro Racing USA immediately following the event, on or about September 1, 2011.  Immediate updates will be available as the race week progresses via Twitter: chipyates89

Chip’s Electric Superbike Sponsors:  UQM Technologies // McKenna, Long & Aldridge LLP // Eidos LLC // Yoyodyne // Ohlins USA // MoTeC Systems USA // Dainese // SolarReserve // Manzanita Micro // MicroStrain // Performance Machine // CPR Fabrication // Catalyst Racing Composites // Stompgrip // Scottoiler // Thermosman Suspension

For more information, please contact:  racing@swigz.com

** ENDS **

We've already gone 190.6 mph with a wobble to deal with and only 1 mile to get up to speed.  How fast can we go on a 5-mile open course at Bonneville with our new, 258 horsepower UQM Technologies electric motor?  Stay tuned to find out!  Twitter: chipyates89 for updates!