Breaking a world record isn’t easy, especially when cutting-edge automobiles are involved. On 16 November, members of the Forze H2 Hydrogen Electric Racing team gathered at Circuit Park Zandvoort.
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They were hoping to overcome a lap record established by a Tesla Roadster in 2013, but they ran into a few complications.
The team, which was founded back in 2007 at TU Delft and currently consists of dozens of students from the university, specialises in designing and testing high-tech hydrogen race cars. They faced daunting conditions when they arrived in Zandvoort on Monday. The weather was a bit windy and there was a chance of rain showers. After rolling their innovative Forze VI racer out onto the track, the team had to reluctantly abort their attempt after encountering technical problems.
While it’s a setback, Team Manager Rick Everaert remains confident that he and his colleagues will one day break the record.
“We did drive the new electric lap record, although this was done on the 3rd of November,” he said. “This was done at a test session [during] which we had our own timing on the car.”
While the Forze VI proved itself capable of beating the Tesla Roadster earlier this month, it must do so on a track under close observation and in accordance with various rules and regulations in order to officially break the record.
Over the past several years, the team has designed six different vehicles. The Forze VI is its most advanced one yet. It’s six times more efficient and powerful than its predecessors. The vehicle has a top speed of 210 KM/H (130 MPH) and can go from 0 to 60 MPH (0-97 KM/H) in less than four seconds. Instead of running on gasoline or more conventional batteries, it’s powered by an innovative fuel cell that converts hydrogen into water and electricity.
Not only can it compete against more traditional race cars, the Forze VI is one of the first on the planet to contain a fuel cell system of this nature. Along with its improved aerodynamics and groundbreaking capabilities, the vehicle wowed over 87,000 motorsports fans during a demonstration at Gamma Racing Day, a large event that was held in Assen last August.
It will likely only be a matter of time until the Forze VI breaks the current record, which stands at two hours, ten minutes and 90 seconds (2:10:90). However, the team’s next attempt has not yet been scheduled.
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