Karting: The Paris indoor race to use electric karts

The karts will be back at the Bercy sports centre in Paris next December, and this time the drivers will compete aboard the newest generation of electric karts.

The return of the event was expected for years. The official press conference announcing it was held this morning in Paris, unveiling the date of the ERDF Bercy Kart Masters 2011.

The first international races in the world for electric karts will take place on Saturday December 10th (evening) and Sunday 11 (afternoon) with the participation of several of the best drivers in the world.

Philippe Streiff, a former Grand Prix driver and organizer of the Masters in Bercy in the ‘90s, is heading this new project with ERDF, the provider of electric power in France.

While Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna contested the Bercy event behind the wheel of gasoline-powered karts, the next races will take place with fully electric machines.

The French manufacturer Sodikart has been selected to supply the chassis. The electric motor is developing about 30 horsepower at 11,000 rpm, and the full weight of the machine is 114 kg (with 2 batteries located in the sidepods).

Jean-Eric Vergne, the Formula Renault 3.5 driver, tested the kart Electric SODI STX and declared he was fully enthusiastic. "The Sodikart electric kart is fantastic; its power is impressive, proving a vigorous and continuous kick. Since the weight is relatively low, the machine is also quite nimble. I am delighted to contest the Bercy event with this kart,” said Vergne.

Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastien Ogier have already confirmed their participation in December. Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are also very interested to compete, but Philippe Streiff has yet to convince their teams and managers.

Fonte: www.auto123.com/en/racing-news/othe...ts?artid=130828