A group of students from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands will compete with their own developed hydrogen fuel cell LMP3 vehicle at TT Circuit Assen this weekend. Racing with such technology against cars powered by conventional fuel will be a world’s first.
The Forze VII from Forze Hydrogen Electric Racing Team Delft is the seventh full-electric hydrogen fuel cell powered race car developed by students. The LMP3 monocoque, manufactured by Adess, secures its safety while the maximum output of 190kW (258 hp) and a top speed of 210 km/h ensures that the vehicle is powerful enough to take part in an existing championship.
The team aims to show the world that using hydrogen fuel cell technology in motorsports is possible.“Racing with hydrogen electric race cars against those on conventional fuel has never been done before,” team manager Mats Dirkzwager told ElectricAutosport.com.
“During the event Gamma Racing Day we will be racing in the Dutch Supercar Challenge, the largest competition in the Benelux. We’ll race against conventional fueled powered cars to show that hydrogen is a technology that exists and most of all is fun and exciting to use in a motorsports environment.”
“The project is one of a kind. We have nothing to fall back to, so we had to figure out everything ourselves regarding the drivetrain. It was tough, but also provided a great challenge.”
Good morning @ttcircuitassen! Our baby is ready to roll! #practice #qualification #777 #countdown #hydrogen #debut #anotherdayattheoffice pic.twitter.com/bu0FEBJjGo
— Forze (@ForzeDelft) August 4, 2017
The use of hydrogen in racing isn’t entirely new. In 2013 Aston Martin entered a Hybrid Hydrogen Rapide S in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. In the same year Green GT was set to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a hydrogen fuel cell race car, but withdrew due to a lack of testing prior to the event.
