Last week at the Isle of Man TT races, the world's first clean emissions motorcycle race, the TTXGP, was held.

For many people, the Isle of Man TT Races is an event where enthusiastic motorcyclists roar around the Island's roads at breakneck speeds and get themselves killed. Sadly this year's event was no different in that respect as popular Manxman John Crellin tragically died in a crash during the Senior TT. History was however made on the Island as the world's first clean emissions motorcycle race took place, covering one lap of the 37.73 mile mountain circuit.

The TTXGP race attracted 20 entries, 13 of which started, all using electrically powered bikes with onboard batteries. The spectators seemed bemused as the battery bikes quietly whizzed past them on the Island's narrow roads.

"Absolutely fantastic!" grinned race winner Rob Barber, whose Team Agni machine completed the circuit in 25 minutes 53 seconds, an average speed of 87.4mph. The lap record for petrolhead competitors is an outrageous 17 minutes and 13 seconds, an average of 131.5mph.

The last rider to complete the course was Stephen Harper, who had to push his Brunel bike over the finish line to record 56 minutes and 28 seconds. Four bikes didn't make it to the end.

The organisers are convinced that the bikes will get much faster as battery weights are reduced and technology develops. But do we really need battery powered motorcycles? Many currently available bikes run very efficiently and as a pedal cyclist the last thing I would want is a motorbike that I can't hear approaching me from behind at an average of 87.4mph....

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J.C.Allan  - Mr.   |17-06-2009 10:54 As a Manxman I applaud the Isle of Man's initiative in running the TTXGP. surely a forward step and a sign of things to come. Maybe pedal cyclists will have to fit a rear view mirror!! I'm sure there will not be many bikes zooming up at 87.4 mph Reply 1   0

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