Better keep your C-4 ZR-1 and skip the E-Ray if you wish to race or show

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

at least for now!

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/corvette-e-ray-banned-from-competition/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=EDaily&utm_campaign=

Interesting!
:cheers:
Marty

[1977CamaroZ28]

Interesting reading! Here in Spain, I have a colleague in my band who is a firefighter and he has been warning us of this danger with this type of vehicle for some time.

[XfireZ51]

Why would they do this when there has been Formula E racing for years now? Electric cars haven?t been banned from drag strips to my knowledge.
Unlike a Tesla or even my Volt, the battery on the ERay is miniscule and can only run the drive motor for 3 miles without regen. And its not a PHEV.
Are they banning the Ferrari SF 90 which has a larger battery? IMO, this is a way over reaction and silly.

[Mikey]

I know the owner of Carolina Motorsports Park. They had an EV catch fire on track and melted the track. So the banning of electric vehicles from race tracks is becoming a thing. Don't know who has tested hybrids like eRay or SF90 to say that their smaller batteries won't burn long enough to cause significant damage to the facility..

Doesn't really matter, the eRay is HEAVY, not going to be competitive and won't make for a great circuit track car. Competent drivers are burning through c8 Z06 tires in a single HPDE day (average 2 hours).

I endurance race a C4 LS3 powered car that weighs about as much as a C4 ZR-1 (weight removed plus weight added for safety and fuel was about net zero).

We get on average 8 hours but sometimes up to 12 hours on a set of street tires with 140AA wear rating. At continuous race pace.

[XfireZ51]

Well the NCCC reversed course. The E-Ray is fine to be on track. I?ll bet someone in the Corvette group picked up the phone and talked some sense into these people.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Next they may announce a ban of drivers of show or race cars with batteries in their hearing aids or pacemakers.
Danger is everywhere. :wink:
:cheers:
Marty

[Mystic ZR-1]

Hate to say it, but... aren't hearing aids
and pacemakers part of the Corvette demographic?
🤪

[XfireZ51]

Hate to say it, but... aren't hearing aids
and pacemakers part of the Corvette demographic?
🤪

And every vehicle has a battery similar in size to the E-Ray.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

I remain amused that the NCCC would actually, even for a moment, BAN a Corvette from both activities.
Guess when in church next, I will find that prayer has also been banned.
Crazy world today.
:cheers:
Marty

[XfireZ51]

I remain amused that the NCCC would actually, even for a moment, BAN a Corvette from both activities.
Guess when in church next, I will find that prayer has also been banned.
Crazy world today.
:cheers:
Marty

I like ur analogy Marty.:cheers:

[Vette Guy]

The issue is lithium batteries. Similar to 1977CamaroZ28, a firefighter friend warned me about them as well. An accident involving a lithium battery vehicle isn't the same as a lead-acid battery. If the battery compartment is at all compromised, it's a big deal. It is very hard to put out, and can continue to reignite for hours depending on size. Even small lithium batteries can do a lot of damage as lithium fires emit intense heat, but the real danger is from the highly toxic smoke and fumes. A track's fire team may not be equipped to fight lithium fires, nor remove an electric car for hours after an accident. It shuts the track down.

No doubt in my mind that the announcement of the E-Ray ban hurt sales, and that a flurry of activity occurred to reverse their decision. I agree with Mikey that we'll see more track bans in the future, particularly as insurance company actuaries weigh the risk. You currently pay more car insurance for an EV than a gas powered vehicle.

https://www.consumerreports.org/money/car-insurance/electric-vehicles-cost-more-to-insure-than-gasoline-powered-a6372607024/

https://mashable.com/article/tesla-electric-vehicle-car-crash-fire-reignite

https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/tesla-sedan-burns-for-4-hours-after-crash-fire-near-fillmore/

https://nypost.com/2022/11/18/tesla-bursts-into-flames-on-pennsylvania-highway/

[XfireZ51]

There are already LiIon batteries in use for ICE vehicles.
http://greenlifebattery.com/applications/automotive/

I am using one for my Honda VFR Interceptor. And of course Formula E vehicles are on tracks around the world.