On Tuesday 25 June, Drayson Racing’s lightweight electric racing car set a new world land speed record for an electric vehicle. The Lola B12/EV hit a maximum speed of 204.2mph (328.6kph) in its attempt at RAF Elvington in Yorkshire, breaking the previous record of 175mph which was set in 1974.

Over the last 6 months, WMG has worked with Drayson Racing on the car’s development, drawing on WMG’s expertise in sustainable materials and energy management.

WMG researchers developed recycled carbon fibre panels which were used on the Drayson car, research which was the result of a WMG EPSRC Challenging Engineering grant. Through WMG’s Energy Innovation Centre, testing and characterisation work was carried out on the vehicle’s electric motor to enable the maximum power possible to be achieved. This helped to contribute to the success of the Drayson racing vehicle.

WMG colleagues were also on hand at the record attempt itself to witness the successful result. [Photos courtesy of Richard Seager]

WMG has previous experience of sustainable motor racing through its WorldFirst Formula 3 project, which aimed to exhibit the use of sustainable and renewable automotive technologies using motor racing as a high impact demonstrator. The Drayson racing vehicle also aims to prove the future potential of electric vehicles for motorsport and this will be followed up by the launch of the new FIA Formula E Championship in 2014 – a new category of Formula cars powered exclusively by electric energy.

Drayson Racing hopes to enter their record breaking vehicle into next year’s Le Mans 24 race to further test electric vehicle technologies.

Watch Drayson Racing's official video of the record breaking run below:

The Drayson Racing FIA World Land Speed Record from Drayson Racing on Vimeo.