The International Motorcycle Federation has made a u-turn decision about its partnership with the TTXGP eGrand Prix and decided to strike out on its own instead.
Earlier this year the FIM announced that it would be endorsing the lads from TTXGP, but now the orgnaisation have to decided to rather create its own series of electric-bike races because it is “concerned about the preparation for the future of motorcycle sport and in order to promote alternative energies”.
Whichever way you look at it, with the two parties divided electric motorcycle technology will not be developing at nearly the same rate as it would have under the previous arrangement.
The FIM’s events will be held during the opening race of a few rounds of their championships as of 2010.
“The FIM, as the governing body of motorcycle sport, must take into account current environmental problems. This is why, in the framework of our agreement with the United Nations Environmental Programme, we put in place every year initiatives aimed at making the motorcycle world aware and reminding us of our duties towards our planet,” said Vito Ippolito, FIM President.
“With the same goal and in order to promote new energies, the FIM is pleased about and proud of the creation of the FIM e-Power International Championship that will be managed by the Road Racing Commission (CCR). We hope to gather many teams around this project in preparation for the future of our sport,” Ippolito continues.
The provisional 2010 FIM e-Power International Championship calendar:
April 18, 2009 Le Mans (Opening race of the Le Mans 24hours) France
TBA Albacete (Opening race of the Albacete 8 hours) Spain
September 12, 2009 Nevers-Magny Cours (Opening race of the Bol d’Or) France
*November 14, 2009 Doha (Opening race of the Doha 8 hours) Qatar
* To be confirmed