NEDRA POWER OF DC MAY 31 - JUNE 1

NEDRA News, May 5 - The 8th Annual Power of DC will be held in Hagerstown, Maryland May 31 to June 1. Electric racers from across the country will be attending the event.

Kicking off the Power of DC, and starting at 10:00 am Saturday, will be an AutoCross set up by the Sports Car Club of America. The AutoCross is open to both hybrids and EVs. The AutoCross will also feature a Show-n-Shine and EV display throughout the day.

On Sunday, starting at 12:00 pm noontime, will be the classic NEDRA Power of DC Drag Racing event at the Mason Dixon Dragway in Hagerstown, Maryland. Included in this event is the $500 Lawless Challenge open to any electric motorcycle. Fastest bike in the 1/8 miles wins.

There is still time to get your vehicles ready to race. The Power of DC is organized by Chip Gribben of the NEDRA and the Electric Vehicle Association of Washington DC (EVA/DC). See the Power of DC website for more information including discount hotel rates. Contact Chip at 301-490-0657 or pr@nedra.com for more information.

Sponsored by Milwaukee Tools, Zapi, QuickCable, NetGain, EVA/DC, Boardman Steel, Thunderstruck Motors, Hi-Torque Electric, Cafe Electric, Battery Warehouse, Hot Juice Electric, Torque Drives, Lawless Industries, ElectroScooterWorks, Harvey Coachworks, KTA Services, EV Consulting, Hugh's Woodworking, BTR Capital Management

Refined Voltage Divisions

NEDRA News, May 5 - The National Electric Drag Racing Association has refined the Voltage Divisions, which up till now have been based on nominal values. We have added a "Measured Voltage" column which allows racers to pinpoint exactly where their vehicle falls within each voltage division.

Those who are racing with advanced batteries such as Lithium will now find it more convenient to pinpoint where their Voltage Division falls.

To see the proposed updates, visit the Class Rules Page
These revisions are up for NEDRA Member review. Members are asked to send their comments to pr@nedra.com.

Those whose current records will be affected by the revision will be notified. We only expect a few records that will be affected. If your current record is affected notify us at recordkeeper@nedra.com.

Tron Sets New NEDRA Record

NEDRA News, March 7 - Thunderstruck Motors just broke a NEDRA record with their motorcycle, Tron, piloted by Michael Swallow and sponsored by LTC. The 93-volt bike powered by Lithium batteries ran a 11.693 at 104.53 mph in the quarter mile at Infineon Raceway March 5. Brian Hall, the builder of the bike says he can't wait to get back on the track to go for even more records.

Revised Rules for 3-Wheeled Vehicles

NEDRA News, January 25 - On January 23, 2008 the NEDRA board voted to revise classification and eligibility of 3 wheeled electric drag race vehicles in order to promote competition and remain closely aligned with the most recent NHRA rules and standards. The ban on all 3 wheeled vehicles that was implemented in 2007 has been lifted for any vehicle that conforms to the 2008 NHRA rules allowing certain OEM vehicles. NEDRA requirements for maximum speed, wheelbase, etc. are now identical to those found in the NHRA 2008 rules. NEDRA will record and post records for those vehicles that comply with these rules in both 1/8 and 1/4 mile distances and in all NEDRA voltage classes. The previously set records for OEM 3 wheelers that would not have do not complied with the current rules, and those for non OEM 3 wheelers will be added to the retired section of the NEDRA records page.

Current Elminator Breaks Into the 7's in 2007 for a new NEDRA Record

Click photos for larger image

NEDRA News, January 1- Dennis "Kilowatt" Berube surpassed his NEDRA standing record on December 30, 2007 piloting Current Eliminator V to an ET of 7.956 at 159.85 mph.

NEDRA Vice President Jim Ludiker was on hand to witness this record breaking event.

"Yes, once again Dennis Berube has taken Current Eliminator V to new heights for electric drag racing, another milestone for electric powered vehicles.

After the first time out on Dec 15th with the new Lithium Titinate batteries from Altairnano and having a few exciting runs Dennis got the time down to 8.10 sec. for the 1/4 mile.

After adding some weight in the front end of the car and a new set of tires for the rear (larger dia and wider) we were ready for our second attempt at getting into the sevens, so on Sunday, Dec 30 2007 at very early in the morning (3am) and very cold (37 degrees) Dennis and I start out for the Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson AZ. to go for the gold. We get to the track and are escorted to the VIP area that is taped off just for us, a good start for the day. The film crew, photographers, and EV enthusiasts (from as far away as San Diego) show up soon after and we are ready for the first run.

The first run will be at about 1/2 power to burn-in the new tires, stretch the new top fuel chain and feel out the car on the track.

1st run 9.10 @ 142 mph

Everything goes well, adjust tire pressure, charge batteries, adjust chain, crank up Zilla and make another run.

2nd run 8.43 @ 148 mph

Everything is good again, check tires, charge batteries, check chain, more Zilla, do it again.

3rd run 8.18 @ 153 mph

By now we have a good size group of people that herd themselves over to the starting line every time they see Dennis in the staging lane, the announcer has been building up Dennis every run because by now everyone knows he is after a seven second record. Dennis' new cheering section lets out a yell, only .19 seconds to a seven second run. Everything looks great, the motor is cool, the brushes and comm look perfect. Add ice to the Zilla and crank it up for another run.

4th run 8.007 @ 157mph

The new cheering section now includes the starter, the manager of the track and everybody close by, they keep asking us if we have any more left in our bag of tricks and we assure them we are only at 60 percent power, but the front end of the car feels very light 1/3 third the way down the track and don't want to do a 180 at 100 mph so we only crank up the Zilla a little more and go out again. Dennis decides to do a giant burn-out to get more heat in the tires......it looks like a top fueler burn-out and the announcer goes wild, he stages and there it is.

5th run 7.956 @ 159mph

Now that should be a record, it is within 1 percent of the next fastest time but Dennis still wants a little more but wants to keep it safe so we add 1 pound of air to the rear tires to keep from picking up the front end and causing a problem, and there it is again.

6th run 7.963 @ 160.65mph

What a fantastic way to end the year for Electrics, Dennis has a seven second record and we proved once again that EV's are here to stay and will continue on into the new year, we will not go away regardless of what the ICE people think.

We would like to thank the management and all the people at Southwestern International Raceway for their gracious hospitality and encouragement. Also would like to thank Altairnano, Goodyear, Badge Combs chiropractic and all the Current Eliminator team."

See more pics and information on this record setting run.

Attention NEDRA Membership
1/8 Mile Records now Available for
All Voltage Classes

NEDRA News, December 19 -The NEDRA Board of Directors has unanimously approved recording 1/8 mile records for all NEDRA classes. This will become effective January 19, 2008.

With the growing number of 1/8 mile tracks cropping up across the US, the NEDRA Board has determined that 1/8 Mile Records should be available for not only lower voltage vehicles (96-volts and below) but higher voltages as well, provided the elapsed times are no faster then 4.5 seconds in accordance with NHRA rules. Higher voltages include those from 97 to 400 volts.

NEDRA will be setting up a new 1/8 Mile Record Page by January 19, 2008 which will be ready for our two Season Opener events January 26-27, the Electric Dragin and Battery Beach Burnout which are both running on 1/8 mile tracks.

In accordance with the NEDRA Charter, the Board has a 30-day period for NEDRA Members to review the proposal before it goes into effect. Please submit comments no later then January 19 to Father Time.

NEDRA is also in discussions with the NHRA to change our 1/4 mile elapsed time limit from 7.5 to 6.5 seconds for cars and dragsters and the limit for motorcycles from 4.5 to 3.5 seconds. See the two stories below for why we are recommending this change.

Current Elminator Breaks Into the Low 8's
at Over 150 mph with new Lithium Batteries

NEDRA News, December 18 - Dennis "Kilowatt" Berube surpassed his 8.801 record at the Speedworld Motorplex drag strip in Arizona on December 15 running a hot new set of Altairnano high powered lithium-titanate batteries.

Berube's dragster, Current Eliminator, ran times of 10.04, 8.84, 8.40, 8.23 and finally an 8.10 second run at 153.6 mph surpassing his standing 8.801 record.

"We are truly thrilled for Dennis," said Dr. Alan Gotcher, President and CEO of Altair Nanotechnologies, "Not only is it a great milestone for Dennis, but it is a great milestone for the alternative energy transportation industry," Dr. Gotcher continued.

Essentially, this is just a warm-up for the new batteries. We expect Dennis to post even faster 7-second times in the 2008 season.

See more from our man on the scene Jim Ludiker.

Exciting News from the
Wayland Invitational III
July 13 and 14

The sound you hear roaring down the track is a hot Mustang trailing behind the silent electric powered White Zombie.
(video courtesy of Jack Knopf)

NEDRA News, July 14- The Wayland Invitational is well underway with plenty of media filming the event including the Speed Channel and the Discovery Channel. Racing this weekend is John Wayland's White Zombie driven by Tim Brehm and Bill Dube's Killacycle driven by Scotty Pollacheck.

Our own Jack Knopf is providing some great YouTube video. Here is whats going down from our on-the-scene reporters toned down a bit since this is a G-rated web site.

Roderick Wilde - Friday evening, July 13

OK, I am a bit late getting back from dinner and John has already done two runs on the A123s and Bill just did his first warm up run at 135 mph at a 9.801 ET. John drove his car to the track with the Lithiums installed and it scared the holy crap out of him when he just barely stabbed the throttle. He had the battery amps turned up to 1000 and the motor amp turned to 2000 and it boiled the tires in a more incredible display then ever before and it might be even considered in the realm of ticket territory in some jurisdictions :-) I can tell these batteries will not be for the faint of heart! On their first run they turned the battery amps down to 500 and the series and parallel amps turned down to 1500 and they did a milquetoast 97 mph at 13.1 seconds. Remember that only a very short time ago this would have been considered a phenomenal time.

On his second run they turned the battery amps up to 900 and the series and parralel up to 1500. They pulled an 11.864 at 109.56 mph. Keep in mind that this battery stack can deliver 1450 amps. I can't wait to see the results. Will Plasma Boy live up to his name and zorch his and Jim's motor or will new records fall like water off the proverbial ducks back. Stayed tuned. I haven't gone to bed yet!

The KillaCycle doing a warm up run at 135 mph
(video courtesy of Jack Knopf)

Roderick Wilde - Late Friday evening, July 13

I just talked to John at the PIR track. They were having a minor heating issue with the batteries. They also left their 12 volt auxiliary battery on while they were charging and when they made their third run of the night the voltage was not enough to hold in their contactor. It dropped out three times on the run. There is so much press there it is like Hollywood Paparazzi. Even with power dropping off three times during the run they were able to pull off an 11.974 run at 105.68 mph and totally wasted the hot Mustang in the other lane (see the YouTube Video above) that had done an awesome fear invoking burnoff. Alas the White Zombie just waltzed away under partial power. Killacycle's second run wowed the crowd with a blistering 8.7 second 152 mph run. Spectators and the press are finally starting to envision the true power and the future of EVs. It is definitely a special night for electric vehicles!

The KillaCycle on a great run of 8.7 seconds at 152 mph
(video courtesy of Jack Knopf)

Mike Willmon- Late Friday evening, July 13

DUDE!! I WAS THERE. Not to rub it it, but it was an awsome spectacle. Being this was my first EVer drag race EVent I must say EVen the fast gassers barely turned my head away from all the dedicated Amp heads loitering around. Kiilcycle, awesome!!! Thats all I can say. I couldn't get a pic of the launch because the 500ms delay on my camera was killing me. I tried leading Scotty more and more each time and after 4 tries I still failed to get him in the frame; not EVen the back tire :-( White Zombie with the Lithium pack, was Awesome!!!

On the last run Tim pulled an 11.5 something (I'll let John fill in the details in his part 2 (and now Part 3) of the White Zombie commentary) But holy sh%$, the crowd goes wild, there's a fire on the Zombie, EVeryone's chattering "The Zombie is on fire". Looking down the track wondering what the track officials are doing to help out at the end of the track. John's on his cell phone, hands up in the air saying "Awe its alright, Tim just pulled the Oh Sh%$ handle". Apparently the mechanical linkage on the accelerator pedal got stuck down and jamming on the the brakes and locking up the front tires only slowed the RPM's down from 6600 to 6000. Front tires sliding and no slowing down the OH SH%$ bar comes out and a large flash and smoke resembling a motor zorching gets the crowds attention.

Tim drives it back to the pits however like nothing is wrong. Except that about half an inch of rubber from one side of each ofthe front tires is missing with a nice flat spot about twice the size of my hand is readily noticable. 550 feet of dragging the front brakes at 1000 battery amps might tend to do that to front tires :-O The track guys said they've never seen a skid mark that long :-OI'd concur with the obsceneties Wildman alluded to that most likely were relayed by John Wayland.

After losing my drag racing virginity by seeing a race for the first time, I was also honored by being given a ride to my hotel across the river by none other that John Wayland himself (in the White Zombie). Luckily there is a seatbelt in the passenger seat. If John says the lithium pack is obscene, believe him!!! (I have no doubt I'd have said that with the Lead Acid pack as well though) With the full 2000 motor amps flowing through those amazing Siamese 8's the car was severely traction limited. Ass end swinging all over creation looking for a sticky spot to grab onto; all the while flat spots in the front tires just about rattling my teeth out. I did notice though under hard acceleration when the weight was lifted slightly off the front tires it was a smooth, plain old kick in the ass. Talk about launching... I can't imagine also wearing a helmet. It must be all that Tim can do to keep the blood flowing to his eyeballs.

I know this is not a lot of hard core data, but its 2am here and I gotta get some sleep. John is probably just now making it home trying to figure out where to get new front tires tomorrow. So chew on this first thing when you wake up and hopefully after the show John will give you the full skinny. Oh yeah, and Jim Husted finished up that pound of coffe I sent him and called me yesterday to say my motors for the Pinto were done and that he'd be bringing them to the races and show tomorrow. Well I got to see them, and fondle them a little as Jim was showing them off from the back of his truck. I must say that Jim must be bucking for the magazines now with this job. And with the work I just saw he's going to get it. While he wasn't looking I saw the camera crews filming the motors with Hi-Torque plastered all over them. The Flame Job coming out of the Pinto emblem (really a Mustang Emblem on steroids) is superb. Its going to make a lot of nice photo shoots. But hey I just want to get them in the Pinto and get this thing on the track pulling some times. Jim, you can have your couple days to say farewell, but once I hitch those bad horses up, it'll be all over with but the crying. But hey take this to heart, John and Tim couldn't bury our babies tonight, EVen with lithium ion batteries :-) and thats a good thing, I guess.

Later,
Mike,
In Jantzen Beach outside of Portland, OR.

News from the Battery Beach Burnout
January 26-28, 2007

News from the Battery Beach Burnout is starting to roll in.

Check out this YouTube video of the draster Orange Juice and it's A123 Lithium Ion battery pack transplanted from Bill Dube's KillaCycle. 10.9 at 120 mph and the tires were still smoking as it crossed the finish line. Awesome! YouTube video courtesy of Bill Dube.

The NEDRA Season Opener was Friday evening January 26 at the Battery Beach Burnount, at Moroso Motorsports Park in West Palm Beach Florida followed by an Autocross, ScooterCross and EV Show and Shine on Saturday.

The EVent was organized by NEDRA Southeast Regional Director Matt Graham and by the Florida Electric Auto Association. The Headlining Sponsor was Vectrix Scooters.

Stay tuned for more pics, videos and results as they become available.

NEDRA LATE NIGHT NATIONALS
AUGUST 25 & 26, 2006 COVERED BY
CAR AND DRIVER MAGAZINE

The NEDRA Late Night Nationals held at Portland International Raceway (PIR) August 25 and 26, 2006 was a complete success.

Car and Driver magazine journalist Ted West was there to cover the event and race John Wayland's White Zombie all of which will appear in an upcoming issue. Either March or April 2007.

The White Zombie - a dual-motor Datsun pictured in the event promo above, turned consistent 12's beating each gas competitor it raced.

Many other racers were there including Rich Rudman with Goldie, Dave Cloud and his Super Geo, Brian Hall and his car, Roderick Wilde with Gone Postal, Father Time and his drag bike and Otmar Ebenhoech in California Poppy - his Porsche 914 and many more.

PICTURES
Courtesy of Jim Husted (Hi-Torque Electric)
Jim's Pics

The latest from John:

"Hello to All,

Yes, it's crazy time here at the Wayland EV Juice bar... a hot 90+ degrees, people and EVs everywhere! A more detailed report will follow after this weekend's behind me, but for now this update.

Tim warmed-up the Zombie with two 12 second runs, then it was Car and Driver's Ted West's turn. The nervous journalist received last minute instructions from Tim and I on the best launching techniques and what to expect before he was strapped into the electric Datsun from Hell and sent out to the track. First run . . . 12.6 even after letting off the throttle too early with the finish line still ahead of him. With his head hanging in shame, he vowed not to repeat the error and delivered smack-down 12.3 @ 103 mph second run. Third run 12.3 @ 102 mph. This last run Ted lifted both front tires about 4 inches off the ground immediately, so the front wheels were stationary and not rotating for about 40 feet...a very cool looking power-launch!

Earlier this year, Car and Driver road tested a new 500+ hp V10 Dodge Viper that turned a 12.5 ET, so it's now fairly official from the magazine's perspective, that an electric street sedan runs a quicker 1/4 mile! One additional stat . . . White Zombie ran 12's on all runs defeating every gasser challenge of the night!

Gotta go...time to head to the track.

See Ya...John 'Plasma Boy' Wayland"

We will have further information and pics from the race as it develops.

PIR website: www.portlandraceway.com
Directions: www.portlandraceway.com/location.asp

Mannie, Moe and Jack Salvage Washed Out High Voltage Nationals 2006 Event

Although the NEDRA High Voltage Nationals event at the Route 66 Raceway was washed out, EVers made the best of the event and the Pep Boys in Joliet, Illinois graciously offered their parking lot for an impromptu EV show. NEDRA racers and fans had come from across the country to see the race. The weather was no deterrent for hard core racers who did a few burnouts in the parking lot.

See more pictures of the event here.

Increase EV Awareness
Vote for NEDRA Member EVs
on the Dragtimes.com Website

Vote today for NEDRA Members drag racing EVs on the www.dragtimes.com website. By voting for their cars you help place them among the top contenders of the over 6,000 listed on the website. People visiting the site will see these cool electric drag cars which will increase EV awareness.

Thanks for your support.

John Wayland's Datsun White Zombie 
http://www.dragtimes.com/Datsun-1200-Timeslip-7484.html

Matt Graham's 240SX
http://www.dragtimes.com/Nissan-240SX-Timeslip-7382.html

Roderick Wilde's Maniac Mazda
http://www.dragtimes.com/Mazda-RX-7-Timeslip-7519.html

Bill Dube's KillaCycle
http://www.dragtimes.com/Dragster-Motorcycle-Timeslip-7621.html

We would also like to see more EVs on the Drag Times site. If you drag race your EV go ahead and put it up there. See the Drag Times site for details.