Hybrid-electric race car

Paul Boughton
SKF has been chosen by Zytek Engineering to supply customised and standard deep groove ball bearings to the electric motor generator unit and the intermediate shaft of the new Ginetta-Zytek GZ09HS racing car.
 
The car, manufactured by Zytek Engineering and managed by Corsa Motorsport, is the first racing car to feature an advanced alternative-fuelled hybrid propulsion system. It has the ability to run on either one or both of two propulsion systems – a normally aspirated V8 (petrol) engine and a 35kw electric motor, powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery, which can be recharged using a kinetic energy recovery system. This hybrid propulsion system is unique in racing today.

GZ09HS has received a final homologation from FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), and has been closely inspected by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) who describes it as a very sophisticated car.
 
A remarkable achievement for the new GZ09HS took place earlier this year in Lakeville, Connecticut, USA, when it conquered the first ever podium position for such a hybrid car at an American Le Mans Series race.
 
For more information, www.skf.com
 

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