Max Biaggi and Monegasque electric motorcycle constructor Voxan marked the Venturi Group’s 20th anniversary in style, setting a total of eleven new world speed records at Châteauroux airfield in France, on 30 and 31 October and 1 November. The outright top speed achieved over the three days was 408 km/h (254 mph). 

366.94 km/h (228.05 mph) for the semi-streamliner Wattman

 

On the morning of Saturday 31 October, Max Biaggi and the Voxan Wattman achieved their primary objective, beating the most sought-after of the twelve world records they had been targeting this weekend. With a speed of 366.94 km/h (228.05 mph), the team set a new record in the prestigious “partially streamlined electric motorcycle over 300 kilos” class. In doing so, they dethroned previous holders Ryuji Tsuruta and Mobitec EV-02A with their speed of 329 km/h (204 mph).

 

In line with FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) regulations, the Voxan Wattman’s speed was measured from a flying start over 1 mile in opposite directions, within a period of two hours. Under Federation regulations, the final speed is the average of the two speeds recorded over these two runs. The Voxan, with its grey Sacha Lakic-designed fairing, sent records tumbling as the GPS speedometer peaked at an instantaneous speed of… 408 km/h (254 mph).

 

Given the relatively short track (3.5 km / 2.17 mi), reaching such an impressive top speed has encouraged Voxan to set its sights even higher. When they make their next attempts on a longer course, the team now has serious designs on an average speed in the region of 400 km/h (249 mph).

 

349.38 km/h (217.14 mph) for the non-streamlined Wattman

 

On Friday 30 October, a non-streamlined version of the Voxan Wattman without its fairing also took on the challenge over a distance of 1 mile, from a flying start. The principle was identical: 1 mile in opposite directions, within a period of two hours. Once again, the final speed was the average of the two speeds recorded over these two runs: 349.38 km/h (217.14 mph).

 

Yet the on-board systems showed that the Wattman, propelled by its powerful 270 kW (367 CH) engine, peaked at a top speed of 372 km/h (231 mph). This measurement augurs well for the next attempts planned, with Voxan set to take on more records until the end of 2022.

 

Nine other records

 

Gildo Pastor’s team had a number of other world records in their sights. After these three days of attempts, the final record tally is as follows:

 

- ¼ mile, flying start, partially streamlined:           394.45 km/h (245.10 mph) - no previous record

- ¼ mile, flying start, non-streamlined:                 357.19 km/h (221.95 mph) - no previous record

- 1 km, flying start, partially streamlined:              386.35 km/h (240.07 mph - previous 

record: 329.31 km/h (204.62 mph)

- ¼ mile, standing start, non-streamlined:            126.20 km/h (78.42 mph) - no previous record

- ¼ mile, standing start, partially streamlined:      127.30 km/h (79.10 mph) - previous 

record: 87.16 km/h (54.16 mph)

- 1 km, standing start, non-streamlined:               185.56 km/h (115.30 mph) - no previous record

- 1 km, standing start, partially streamlined:         191.84 km/h (119.20 mph) - previous 

record: 122.48 km/h (76.11 mph)

- 1 mile, standing start, non-streamlined:             222.82 km/h (138.45 mph) - no previous record

- 1 mile, standing start, partially streamlined:       225.01 km/h (139.81 mph) - no previous record

 

Quotes

 

“It was important to me to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Venturi Group’s electric adventure. Given the health situation, it hasn’t been easy, but thanks to the hard work and mentality shown by Max and my teams, we proved ourselves up to the challenge. Twenty years after buying Venturi, I am delighted that the Group can now claim to have created the fastest ever electric vehicles on two and four wheels (Venturi VBB-3, FIA record: 549 km/h - 341 mph), but also in the four-wheel fuel cell category (Venturi VBB-2, FIA record: 487 km/h - 303 mph). On each project, we have worked openly with major companies to share with them our expertise in the field of ground-breaking technologies, and in doing so contributed to improving ecomobility. That modest contribution reflects my commitment to ensuring we are fully line with the values of the Principality in terms of sustainable development. So I am sharing these records with my country, Monaco.” - Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi

 

“When Gildo Pastor, the President of the Venturi Group, approached me about this project, I was curious, very motivated, and at the same time a little uncertain. Having said that, right after our first meeting, I quickly realised that, like Gildo, his teams were driven by an incredible belief and determination. They told me “we came close to 600 km/h (373 mph) on four wheels, and now we want to flirt with 400 km/h (249 mph) on two wheels, nothing’s going to stop us!” These records make me a happy man! I’m proud of the team and delighted to bring these titles back to Monaco!” - Max Biaggi, rider of the Voxan Wattman

 

“At ROKiT we believe electric vehicles are the future and we are proud to partner with the fastest electric motorcycles in the world. Venturi and Voxan are true innovators and it’s exciting for ROKiT to be part of history in the making.” - Jonathan Kendrick, Co-Founder and Chairman ROKiT.

 

VOXAN WATTMAN: THE FASTEST ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE IN THE WORLD

• Anniversary Motorcycle Speed
• At 11/04/2020 05:07:00 p.m.
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Max Biaggi and electric motorcycle constructor Voxan are set to attempt to break no fewer than 12 world speed records, on the runway of Châteauroux airport in France. The challenge, taking place over three days starting on 30 October, will see the six-time world motorcycling champion and the Monegasque company celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Venturi Group’s electric adventure.

  

A celebration all the same

 

These world speed record attempts were originally due to take place last July on the planet’s largest salt flat, Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi, was keen for the event to form part of the Group’s 20th anniversary. However, it was ultimately postponed owing to COVID-19. With the health crisis still on-going, there is no immediate prospect of travel to Bolivia next year would be possible.

 

As a result, and to ensure the 20^th anniversary is marked in fitting style all the same, Gildo Pastor has opted to set up at Châteauroux airport, in central France, whose runway meets the criteria laid down by the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme).

From 88 to 330 km/h… minimum

 

Voxan and Max Biaggi will hit the tarmac with both the semi-streamliner and non-streamlined Wattman (see photo above: on the left, the non-streamlined Wattman; in the centre, the lighter version of the semi-streamliner Wattman (used in case of side winds); and on the right, the fully decked-out semi-streamliner Wattman).

 

Each 270 kW (367 hp) machine will attempt to set the stopwatch alight over the following distances: ¼ mile, 1 mile, and 1 km - each time from both a standing start, and a flying start.

 

In six of these twelve categories, no official attempt has ever been made before, and so six new records are guaranteed. In the remaining six categories, there are records to be beaten. The target speeds vary considerably. In the semi-streamliner category, for example, the speed for the ¼ mile is 87 km/h, whereas for the mile the figure is 329 km/h. 

 

 

Quotes

 

“The whole team has been ready to take on these world records for several weeks. So instead of waiting to find out whether we will be able to ride in Bolivia in June 2021, I have decided to make the attempt now, on the track that’s both best suited and closest to our base in Monaco. If the weather conditions are good, we will be able to collect some records. It will be a fine way to mark 20 years of the Venturi Group.”

Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi

 

“This will be our third time riding on the runway at Châteauroux airport. The performances in testing in June and August gave us confidence. We are more than ready. This weekend, if the track is dry and the side winds are light, we will be able to beat several records. I can’t wait to bring these titles back to Monaco and the team!”

Max Biaggi, rider of the Voxan Wattman

6 set new world records and six to-be-beaten this weekend in Max Biaggi's Voxan Wattman electric motorcycles attempt

• Celebration Motorcycle Speed
• At 10/27/2020 08:09:00 p.m.
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The Venturi Group - to which french electric motorcycle constructor Voxan Motors belongs - is applying the health directives issued by the Monegasque Government.

The development teams responsible for the Voxan Wattman motorcycle, which has just completed its initial on-track testing, are now confined to their homes. Given this situation, it is no longer possible to continue fine-tuning the machine on-track, and the electric motorcycle world speed record attempt, originally planned to take place in Bolivia in July 2020, has been postponed. Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi Group: “The health and safety of my teams is paramount. In view of the current health crisis, I have put in place the necessary measures. All of my staff, whether they are attached to Venturi North America (Columbus, Ohio) or to the headquarters in Monaco, are now working from home. We will establish a new calendar of operations as soon as the health situation allows it, and announce the new operational arrangements for this project, which is very important to me personally. I want to thank all of the people and organisations involved in this adventure for their efforts and understanding. I look forward to meeting up with them again and getting our world record attempt back on track.”

VOXAN MOTORS POSTPONES ITS ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE WORLD SPEED RECORD ATTEMPT

• Motorcycle Racing Speed
• At 3/20/2020 11:59:00 p.m.
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