09/03/2010 Finally got a chance to do some high speed testing at PIR. Since we don't yet have a portable way of recharging the car it meant only doing one session but even that is quite valuable data. So after all day running the dp4 late in the afternoon I finally jumped into the dp1/e for a 15-minute outing. Here's a video from that run.

Best lap was 1:41 driving pretty conservatively and average was 1:42. Looking at the data and comparing it with the dp4 it's clear that most of the difference is in the top speed which is around 90 mph for this car in current configuration. Having only one gear is a drawback and some of our future development is aimed at addressing this. Of course the fact that we can't draw much power from the batteries is a hindrance also, I'm guessing we are limited to about 55-60 hp right now.

Of course the dp4 is running way below its max power also, but the speed difference is dramatic. The graph also shows that I could have carried more speed through 10-11 in the dp1/e :) I've a ways to go as a test driver still. Lately when in the car I spend too much time being an engineer whereas I should be 110% driver and leave the engineering for when I'm not on the track.

All this experience is proving quite valuable and we have very ambitious goals for the project. Our big goal next year is to compete at the Pikes Peak hillclimb, both with electric and gas powered cars. So we are now actively looking for sponsors to help make that happen.