NEDRA NEWS (May 4, 2012) Electric vehicle history was made today at Virginia Motorsports Park when the Lawless Orange County Chopper Rocket electric drag bike, piloted by Larry "Spiderman" McBride, pulled off a world record drag race time and became the first electric vehicle to break the 6 second quarter mile and go over 200 mph!
This makes the Rocket the first electric vehicle to be admitted into the NEDRA 200 mph Club!
Rocket passed the 1/4 mile from a standing start in 6.94 seconds with a trap speed of 201.37 mph!
That run was backed up by Larry's second run of the day which was a 7.00 @ 195 mph.
Larry's first trip down the track was a warm up run of 7.16 @ 188.36 mph. See the video below for a cool burnout and the 188 mph run.
The day was not without some drama. The Lawless team, including Larry's brother Steve McBride of Cycle Specialties, not only had to deal with an 8 mph headwind but after the 195 mph run, some chunks were discovered in the rear tire. As the tire was being changed a thread stripped in the aluminum wheel further delaying the repair as the track was beginning to bake under the midday sun making a record run less obtainable. Fortunately a passing cloud obscured enough sunlight to cool the track down to reasonable levels and the team was able to repair the wheel and make it's record 6.94 second, 201 mph run on a new tire!
The record run was a debut for the bike's new battery pack built by Derek Barger of High Tech
Systems. The 250 pound, 355 volt lithium battery pack has a capacity of 14.2 kWh packing in 1340 hp!
The bike also features a 13-inch GE motor built by NEDRA Record Holder Dennis Berube and a 4000 amp Zilla speed controller custom designed and built by Otmar Ebenhoech.
The proof is in the timeslips!
Bookman's Spring Thaw
April 15
a success . . . despite the rain!
NEDRA NEWS (April 18, 2012) EV Drag racers from across the country converged at Southwestern International Raceway for the Bookman's Spring Thaw April 15. Although the rain cancelled our April 14 race date we were able to race the next day with many successful runs. Featured legendary racers included White Zombie, DC Plasma, Smokescreen, KillaCycle, E-FLux, Lemon Juice, Tron,
AGNuS, Predator, Black Pearl and more!
DC Plasma Breaks into the 9s and Black Pearl makes History at NEDRA
Florida Nationals
NEDRA NEWS (February 25, 2012) It was a historic two days of racing at Bradenton Motorsports Park February 23 and 24 when NEDRA's quickest racers came together to push the limits of electric drag racing at the NEDRA Florida Nationals.
It was just a month earlier at Bradenton, that Lemon Juice, Shawn Lawless' electric S-10, which he calls the "S-11" made a historic run of 9.80 at 132 mph with a 333 volt Flight Power pack, dual 2K Zillas and four GE motors! This time Shawn arrived at the track from Ohio with a 370 volt pack ready to drop further down into the 9's. Just before sundown, John Metric arrived at the track from Texas with DC Plasma, his dual-9" inch motor, dual 2K Zilla, 360 volt 1984 Fiero with an upgraded pack ready to break into the 9's.
Back in the pits, the high school teams were getting ready for their runs. Black Pearl, Miramar High School's dual 9-inch motor Porsche 944 and the Central Shenandoah's Porsche 911 were getting prepped by their students led by Lowell Simmons from Miramar and Brian Humphries from Central Shenandoah. Audrey and partner Steve Clunn were ready to take a fun trip down the track with their electric Morris Mini.
Also in the pits was Zilla controller designer Otmar Ebenhoech who was there to see for himself how his Zillas could handle the high voltages and quick time. Jeff and George from Eventics, the Zilla's competitor were also there to see the action.
This set the scene for an exciting night of racing and some drama. Back in the pits and the track the evening moisture was settling over everything. The chargers weren't able to feed more then 9 amps to DC Plasma and Lemon Juices battery packs and the car's windows continually needed to be dried off. Track workers were interrupting the races to dry the track off with gas burners. A gas Mustang had spun out and lost a rear wheel right in front of the stands.
Lowell Simmons was the first EV down the track with a 12.07 second warm-up run in the Miramar Porsche 944 easily beating one of the many diesel trucks who were also racing their own event.
Then came the dual between DC Plasma and Lemon Juice. DC Plasma quickly launched off the line with a 60 foot time of 1.55 and led the race with an ET of 9.89 at 134 mph which was a best time for DC Plasma. The wet track caused Lemon Juice to slip just a bit but Shawn was able to correct and came up with an ET of 10.80 at 120 mph.
The racing continued the next day. Lemon Juice wasn't able to make it but DC Plasma was there to back up the run for the NEDRA record but unfortunately blew a reversing contactor and one of the controllers while backing out of the pits which ended the day for DC Plasma. He was still able to leave the track with a NEDRA MC/A2 record of 10.677 at 124.77 mph.
Lowell Simmons, racing Black Pearl was able to take the NEDRA HS/A record with a time of 11.319 at 118.34 mph beating their previous record of 11.61.
BREAKING NEWS!!
NEDRA Becomes an NHRA
Alternative Sanctioning Organization (ASO)
NEDRA NEWS (January 30, 2012) The National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA), a non-profit Washington based corporation and a Specialized Chapter of the Electric Auto Association (EAA), is proud to announce we have become an NHRA Alternative Sanctioning Organization (ASO).
NEDRA has joined the ranks of other prestigious independent racing organizations such as the All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) and the American Drag Racing League (ADRL). Of note is that only three of the six NHRA ASOs are automobile drag racing associations, the other five are for motorcycles. To become an ASO, NEDRA's Class and Safety Rules were reviewed and approved by the NHRA. According to Josh Peterson, the NHRA Racing Administration Vice President, the NHRA ASO program is designed to enable independent sanctioning organizations to conduct drag racing programs not offered by the NHRA at NHRA Member Tracks.
NEDRA was formed in 1997 as an organization to promote safe EV drag racing and education as well as to keep records for electric drag racing. In 1999, then NEDRA President, John Wayland had Vice President Roderick Wilde and Tech Director Bill Dube work with the NHRA to include electric vehicles in NHRA drag racing. EVs were accepted and included in the 1999 NHRA rule book and were later adopted into the F.I.A. drag racing rule book. This was a milestone event for NEDRA as the NHRA rules stated since 1953 that you must have an internal combustion engine in order to race on their tracks. Since it's beginning, over fifteen years ago, NEDRA has grown worldwide to include representatives in five other countries. NEDRA looks forward to a further constructive relationship with the NHRA.
The NHRA is the largest motorsports sanctioning body in the world with more than 40,000 licensed NHRA drag racers that compete at 130 NHRA member tracks around the USA and Canada. www.nhra.com.
Shawn Lawless and Lemon Juice Breaks into the 9's at 132 mph
NEDRA NEWS (January 14, 2012) From sunny Central Florida, we're thrilled to report that Shawn Lawles has broken into the 9's with Lemon Juice.
This is a truly historic moment for EVs since it's the first electric door slammer to break into the 9's in the US.
Here are his times for the day leading up to the historic run. More info as it becomes available.
Run 1: 12.30 @ 105 mph
Run 2: 10.79 @ 121 mph
Run 3: 10.43 @ 121 mph
Run 4: 9.95 @ 127 mph
Run 5: 9.80 @ 132 mph
A couple days ago Shawn predicted a door slammer would break into the 9s and he was right.
Here's a view inside Lemon Juice. Four 10 HP GE Motors sharing a single chain, direct drive. The juice to the motors is provided by two 2K amp high voltage Zilla controllers. The 9 second record run was powered by Flight Power 333 volt 3500 amp lithium battery pack. 9-inch Posi Rearend.
Shawn Lawless and John Metric
to Recieve Coveted NEDRA Awards for 2011
Shawn Lawless to receive the Ed Rannberg Award
and John Metric receives the Bob Rice Memorial EVenturer Award
NEDRA NEWS (December 27, 2011) NEDRA had a busy year in 2011 with many individual efforts to spread the news of EV racing. So NEDRA would like to express our sincere thanks to two members who have helped make this year a success.
This year, Shawn Lawless and Team Lawless has been all over the map promoting EV racing with his "Rocket" electric drag bike which was built in front of millions of viewers on "American Chopper" and pulled off a "world record," as Paul Sr. called it, on the show. In addition to building the "Rocket" and his bright yellow S-11 drag race truck, Shawn has been behind the scenes helping other racers get on the track including Jeff Disinger, the builder and racer of the record breaking "Predator" drag bike. Shawn has also been involved with an Ohio university in helping them with their electric motorcycle project and Miramar High School's new electric Cobra project. Congratulations to Shawn for receiving the 2011 Ed Rannberg Award.
NEDRA would also like to acknowledge John Metric for an outstanding year of record breaking racing and traveling half-way across the country to attend the Power of DC. We'd like to congratulate John with the new Bob Rice Memorial "EVenturer" Award in memory of Bob Rice who travelled all across the US to attend NEDRA Events on both coasts. John shares the same spirit Bob had in promoting EVs. John has been active with his local EAA chapters in getting more people interested in EV Drag racing and formed a new racing group, "Lonestar Racing."
IHRA Accepts Electric Vehicles in their Racing Rules!
Electrics now formally recognized by the IHRA
NEDRA NEWS (December 19, 2011) The National Electric Drag Racing Association is pleased to announce that the IHRA, International Hot Rod Association, has formally recognized electric drag racing. Electric Cars and Motorcycles including Electric Junior Dragsters are now in their latest rule book.
The IHRA was formed in 1970 and is the largest drag racing sanctioning body in Canada and the second largest in the US. NEDRA's President, Mike Willmon and Vice President Roderick Wild! e worked with Skooter Peaco, the IHRA Vice President of Race Operation s and Mike Baker, their Director of Competition and Technical Services to help make this a reality. Chip Gribben, NEDRA's PR director has been working with Kurt Oberholtzer, IHRA Director of Contingency and Inside Sales concerning events at their member tracks. This now smooths the way for new and exciting EV drag racing venues. NEDRA looks forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the IHRA.
This news is particularly significant to NEDRA's newest Regional Director for Western Canada, Casey Mynott. Casey is head of Canada's first electric drag racing team which just happens to be a group of high school students from Delta Secondary School in Ladner, British Columbia. Casey is the Automotive Instructor there. Besides their electric drag racing pick up they have added a Junior Dragster to their racing stable. It is g! oing to be an exciting and educational racing season coming up for them in 2012.
DC Plasma Breaks MC/A2 Record!
John Metric takes DC Plasma to a new record
and into the 125 MPH Club
NEDRA NEWS (December 3, 2011) Despite fog and dampness settling over Baytown Royal Purple Dragway Friday night (the photo above is a file photo), John Metric piloted DC Plasma into the record books with a record setting run of 11.04 seconds at 123.67 mph beating the current MC/A2 record of 11.416 seconds at 120.33 mph! (record to be posted soon pending verification)
Although the record run is 123.67 mph, John had an even faster and quicker run at 128.15 mph at 10.461 seconds that put him into the 125 MPH Club! NEDRA would love to post the 10.461 time as the record but according to NEDRA rules the times must be within 1 percent in order to take the quicker time. He'll get there soon though
John's warm up run was a casual 11.713 seconds down the track spinning the tires on the damp pavement as he took off. To reduce the tire spin, John cranked down the amps to 1800 and lowered the tire pressure which propelled him to his 128 mph run. There was still a still a bit of spin so he lowered the amps down to 1700.
Times at the 1800 amps:
60ft: 1.631
330ft: 4.336
1/8 mile ET: 6.648
1/8 mile speed: 104.93 mph
1/4 mile ET: 10.461
1/4 mile speed: 128.15 mph
On a dry track DC Plasma should get into the high 9s at over 130 mph. That will happen soon enough!
First Electric Drag Racer in Canada!
Student built electric truck screams
down the drag strip
NEDRA NEWS (December 1, 2011) British Columbia high-school teacher Casey Mynott and his students have built the first electric racing car in Canada. Watch it in action in this exclusive Great Futures video.
DC Plasma Breaks into the 10s!
John Metric takes DC Plasma to a best run of 10.4 seconds at 124 mph in the 1/4
NEDRA NEWS (November 12, 2011) Since building his electric Fiero, DC Plasma, John's goal has been to break into the 10s. After a couple months of upgrades to the car including a beefier drive train and a new aerodynamic front end he's done it with a single run at 10.4393 at 124.83 mph! And at the same time beating the gas car he was running against.
The timeslip tells the rest of the story.
On John's second run a CV joint failed so John wasn't able to finish the day with more runs but it will just be a matter of time - very soon - before John breaks into the 9's at 130 mph with new records and into the 125 mph Club. John has gone through the car and found where he can take 10ths of a second off here and there and hopefully with some clear weather he can pull it off.
Predator Bike Breaks a New NEDRA Record
Predator breaks into the 8's and takes the
DMC/A Record
NEDRA NEWS (October 24, 2011) Ever since the wall encounter in Cleveland last month Jeff "Dice" Disinger and Shawn Lawless have been wanting to get the Predator bike back to the track. Today it finally happened. Dice and Shawn met in Rochester, New York at Empire Dragway for their last race of the season. Dice was sporting almost healed fingers, new gloves, and Predator a new drag slick. After the day's effots, Predator is now the DMC/A record holder, with an 8.96 @ 141 MPH. This betters the Lawless AGNS bike record by more than a second. It took all day to get in just 4 runs but Dice was the last guy down the track for the season with an 8.60 @ 144 MPH to back up the record. The first run off the day to shakedown the slick was 11 something @ 117 MPH. The first backup attempt failed as the front end lifted and Dice had to get off the pot resulting in a 9.76 @ 136 MPH. The most impressive part of the day for Shawn was that they never had time to bump the current up above 60% and even with only 259 volts split in series on the motors, the GE's were still pulling like crazy at 122 volts. That and the fact that Godzilla Serial # 7 ran flawlessly and is still cranking out records.
Look for the record to appear soon on the Records Page. The above photo is from the Power of DC. We'll have an updated photo of Dice and Predator soon.
Our 2008 recipient goes to Mike
Willmon. Mike is the owner of the Crazy Horse Pinto and is
currently the President of NEDRA.
The Rannberg Cup honors NEDRA
members who have made a significant contribution to the sport
of electric drag racing. Ed Rannberg
was an EV racing pioneer who is the inspiration for the creation
of NEDRA.
NEDRA NEWS (December 19, 2011) The National Electric Drag Racing Association is pleased to announce that the 
