New-generation motor powers electric-car race winner

An electric-powered, Indy-style race car from Bowling Green State University (OH) won the 1998 Arizona Public Service Electrics Race. Powered by a third-generation, liquid-cooled motor made by the Lincoln Electric Motor Div. (Cleveland), the car set a new event speed record of 29.44.774 minutes for the 30.8-mile course. Average speed was 62.126 mph, although the car can reach 140 mph on the straightaway. The "Electric Falcon's" power plant: an inverter-duty NEMA 256 frame motor that generates 160 hp at 10,000 rpm. "Winning the race is a strong sign that our new motor technology is paying off," states Gary Schuster, Lincoln Electric Co. vice president. "Many of the same technologies we've developed for racing are being applied to our industrial electric motors, with exciting results." The race, part of the ABB University Spec Series race, organized by Electric Vehicle Technology Competitions Ltd., featured cars from 13 universities. FAX Greg Myers at (216) 383-4730 (P).