Feature

Back to the future for electric speed record

The current development of electrically powered vehicles is a big part of today’s alternative sustainable energy revolution. Whilst most attention is focused on the ‘here and now’ and the future, it’s interesting to look back at some important milestones and highlights as we move inexorably towards greener, more sustainable solutions.

04/12/2023 14:51:40

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One important highlight from exactly 10 years ago is the land speed record achieved by the Drayson Racing Team, recording a speed of 204.2mph for an electrically powered car in June 2013. This was achieved at the former RAF Elvington base
in Yorkshire, in a modified Le Mans car, and resulted in giving electric-powered motor racing a boost and improved credibility at a crucial moment.

An important contributor to this success was Carter Manufacturing whose engineering knowledge and experience proved to be pivotal
in helping the Drayson Racing team achieve this milestone. Both Carter Manufacturing and the Drayson Racing Team are located in the heart of the UK’s specialist motorsports location in Oxfordshire, so were ideally placed to develop a successful collaboration at a time
when the development of electric cars was in its infancy.

The project started when Lord Drayson, former Science Minister, businessman and racing driver, called Karl Brundell, MD of Carter Manufacturing, to request engineering and product support to achieve the goal of building
the world’s fastest electric car. Lord Drayson was actually behind the wheel of the Drayson B12 69/EV electric Le-Man’s Prototype, when the existing speed record of 175mph, which had stood for nearly 40 years, was smashed by 29.2mph.

Read the full article in DPA's December issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.