MattHardigree - @MattHardigree - Big morning! A cross-country EV challenge! #chargeacrossamerica follow @Park_My_Fleet and @BCBrownell and @thekilometers to see who wins! 7:13 AM · Oct 31, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
Ten Electric Days Across America Kicks Off On Halloween Day 2021
Today is the day that the first time challenge of
Charge Across America (CAA)
kicks off operating under the name "NYC to LA In Ten Electric Days | October
31st - November 9th, 2021" in an effort to demystify 100% electric-powered
vehicles.
Graphic Credit: Charge Across America (2021)
Charge Across America has put together a rally style event that, in this first
challenge, has put together five diverse teams of vehicles and drivers to
"race" electric-powered across the United States starting from the Revel
facility (a partner) in Brooklyn, New York and ending ten days later through
Los Angeles to the Ventura County location of Westlake Autoscape, a luxury
motor-culture social club near Thousand Oaks West of the San Fernando valley.
Team Names & Vehicles Piloted: What's Watt - Ford Mustang Mach E | Mighty
Morphin Power Rangers - Polestar 2 | Who's In Charge - Porsche Taycan | Neon
Nomads - Porsche Taycan | Volt Meisters - Volkswagen ID.4.
Graphic Credit: Charge Across America (2021)
Along the way at an early midpoint (given distance), the teams will hold the
first of two race course press receptions that will highlight interest
partners in the Charge Across America focused effort.
Detroit, Michigan:
A location picked because Detroit continues to be a leader in the mobility
ecosystem through the efforts of the Michigan Office of Future Mobility in
connecting key people, places, and resources across the state and DTE, the
local utility, seeks to serve and educate southeast Michigan citizens on the
future of energy. These government and municipal entities have teamed with
Thirdware, a leader in enterprise applications with ties to OEMs in the
industry, to leverage those connections and host a huge splash event on
November 1st, 2021.
Vegas Speedway, Las Vegas, Nevada:
Lithium Americas, a vanguard lithium provider, has teamed with other mining
(Ioneer, Comstock), Manufacturing (Albemarle, Panasonic), and Recycling
(American Battery) to host a keystone reception on November 8th, 2021, at
the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This event will bring together these industry
experts and guest speakers, including the Governor, Stephen F. Sisolak and
Senior Senator Catherine Marie Cortez Masto.
Along the way, this whole challenge will be documented by production house
TangentVector - a CAA official production partner. TangentVector is an
award-winning production company behind groundbreaking films made for NBC,
Universal, Netflix, Discovery, and Hagerty. TangentVector, which focuses its
pursuits solely on the automotive space, will film every mile of CAA and
produce a one-hour documentary about this groundbreaking race. TangentVector
is auspiciously poised to tell the Charge Across America story with more
than a decade of experience in video production, pertaining to thrilling
developments and events within the automotive industry.
Looking forward for more updates along the way.
... notes from The EDJE
FEATURED ARTICLE >>>
TAGS: Charge Across America, REVEL, Thirdware, Ioneer, Comstock, Albermarle, Panasonic, American Battery, Lithium America, TangentVector, Westlake Autoscapr, The EDJE, EVHNews
Porsche has pledged to electrify half its fleet in the next five
years after the Macan SUV goes gas-less. Artists Hussain Almossawi
of Mossawi Studios and Marin Myftiu already have an idea of what an
all-electric 911 could be through Project 411 Concept. Image
Credit: Hussain Almossawi/Marin Myftiu (2021)
Porsche Pushes Autonomy With Sleek & Spyderesque Project 411
Concept
Future visions of the day, places a high value on charging to the issue of
mobility through the alternative power supply of electricity and to have these
crafts be technologically smart enough to be autonomous - so begins the
evolution of the next age in the Porsche 911 through Project 411 Concept.
This excerpted and edited from MAXIM as observed through an article published
in the Robb Report -
ALL-ELECTRIC PORSCHE 911 CONCEPT RECHARGES ITSELF ON THE ROAD
The autonomous Project 411 is to cruise at speeds of up to 250 mph on a
fantastical future roadway.
By: BRANDON FRIEDERICH - MAXIM - SEP 23, 2020
The concept, dubbed Project 411, was rendered as tribute to the 911 Spyder
for Italian prototyping company NCS, as Robb Report notes.
Arrow Blue Porsche 918 Spyder as it appeared in a GT Spirit
notice about this 2015 Weissach package enhanced single ownership
918 Spyder going to auction through the services of RM Sotheby’s
at Villa Erba. Image Credit:
RM Sotheby via GT Spirit (2017)
The presence of DNA from the German’s marque’s most iconic model isn’t
necessarily obvious—a case could be made that the body, with its sleek
bubbly roof and prominent wheel arches, looks more like a futuristic Taycan.
But the duo claims that there are 50s/60s-era cues design as well, such as
headlights that are aligned with the front wheels and smoothly wrapped
bodywork.
Project 411 would also be a fully autonomous vehicle. Without the potential
for human error, the “luxury highway cruiser” would supposedly be able to
safely travel at up to 250 mph over long distances. An on-the-go inductive
charging system that employs charging strips on the roadway would maximize
range. Keep in mind, this all takes place in a fantastical future.
Images show a sparse-but-elegant interior, with the seats and door panels
covered in a flowing ribbed material, as well as a gold-trimmed steering
wheel. Renders of a racing variant are accompanied by text that reads “the
original design of the P411, from mechanics to tires, is all about smooth
acceleration and straight-line efficiency. However, it will allow for a little
stress in curves, adding some real fun in the driven mode.”
This Insane All-Electric Porsche 411 Concept Would Recharge Itself While
Driving
It's blends the marque's past and future.
By RACHEL CORMACK - SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
Ferdinand Porsche once said, “I couldn’t find the sports car of my dreams,
so I built it myself.” Following in the footsteps of the pioneering Porsche
founder, artists Hussain Almossawi and Marin Myftiu have designed a next-gen
911 concept from their imagined future.
The duo designed the supercar, which has been dubbed Project 411, for
Italian prototyping company NCS, and it’s a drastic departure from the
marque’s current design language. It’s a self-driving electric speedster
that’s lightning quick and quite unlike anything we’ve seen. In fact,
Almossawi and Myftiu have even categorized it as a new class of vehicle:
“the luxury highway cruiser.”
The fantastical four-wheeler is loosely based on the beloved 911 Spyder, as
well as the classic rides of the ‘50s and ‘60s, and it gives off serious
Blade Runner vibes. The designers also went the extra mile and envisioned
the futuristic world in which the car resides. That is one where autonomous
driving has been perfected and high-powered beasts, like the 411, can sprint
down the highway at speeds in excess of 250 mph.
----
To achieve that blistering speed, the 411 has been designed with
aerodynamics in mind. It features large venturi tunnels to channel air from
the front to the back, along with an adjustable wing and a diffuser to suck
the supercar to the tarmac.
The all-electric beast could be juiced up on-the-go, too. Almossawi and
Myftiu have conceived inductive charging strips that are built under the
roads and power the ride while it’s in motion. This tech would allow the 411
to run on a much smaller battery and improve the vehicle’s weight and
driving dynamics.
----
Obviously, we’re a ways off from seeing this concept come to fruition, but
no doubt ol’ Ferdinand would appreciate the chutzpah the designers have
shown.
Despite the later successes and established iconic design, the 911 Spyder
remains for Porsche, and the whole automotive landscape, a sort of unicorn; an
un-replicated, dreamlike beast.
Project 411 Concept attempts to accept the overall challenge of rethinking
this iconic Porsche 911 design.
The EDJE captures a rare photographic self-portrait in the
reflection of the season points prototype class leader in the IMSA
WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The season finale will add NTT
INDYCAR SERIES Andretti Autosport INDY500 winning driver Alexander
Rossi to the driver line-up for the 10-Hour Motul Petit Le Mans
at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks
(2021)
Drivers Taylor, Albuquerque, & Rossi Share Road Atlanta Testing Thoughts
In Advance Of IMSA Season Finale
A rare glimpse was given into the thoughts of the drivers of the IMSA season
championship points leading Wayne Taylor Racing No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura
ARX-05 Acura DPi - which is to be piloted at Road Atlanta by Ricky Taylor,
Filipe Albuquerque, and Alexander Rossi (who is added to fill out the driver
team for the endurance of the season finale 10 hour race).
The drivers participated in a ZOOM Call from the team's transporter located at
Road Atlanta during their vital road testing sessions to have the car be set
up just right for the demands of the November 10th-13th 2021 IMSA WeatherTech
season finale 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta -
Braselton, GA.
The EDJE was able to ask INDY500 winning driver Alexander Rossi what he
sees as his key points of transition going from driving NTT INDYCARs all
season to then jump into these DPi sportscars?
Question starts at 10:34
in the above IMSA ZOOM Call video file
Heading into the season finale at Road Atlanta in mid-November, the
penultimate race result, held at the Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach,
ensures that Wayne Taylor Racing's No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05
maintains their lead in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with a
total of 3,071 points and a 19-point lead of their closest rivals.
The No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 finished fourth in the Acura Grand Prix
of Long Beach. Heading into the season finale at Road Atlanta in mid-November,
the result ensures that they maintain their lead in the IMSA WeatherTech
SportsCar Championship with a total of 3,071 points and a 19-point lead of
their closest rivals.
Filipe Albuquerque was aggressive but calculated at the start, passing a pair
of Cadillacs and entered the Turn 2 fountain section side-by-side with second
place. He filtered out in third and concluded his stint in fourth position
with one hour remaining.
The team executed a one-stop strategy for the 100-minute sprint, with Ricky
Taylor taking the wheel for the second stint. Taylor was fast and consistent,
bringing the blue and black Konica Minolta machine home in fourth.
The No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 team will conclude the 2021 season in
November at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for the prestigious Motul Petit Le
Mans. Alexander Rossi will join full-time co-drivers, Ricky Taylor and Filipe
Albuquerque for the ten-hour endurance event in hopes of mirroring the start
of the season with another victory to clinch the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech
SportsCar Championship.
“We got the result that we expected today,” reflected Ricky Taylor. “The
Cadillacs were clearly fastest this weekend. We finished the best of the rest.
Filipe made a fantastic start, and because he did, we weren’t in a position to
take a huge risk on the strategy, which ultimately wouldn’t have paid off, so
the guys did their thing. We had a good stop, and everyone executed well. We
came home with a fourth place at Acura’s home race. It’s nice to get some
points and a clean race, but it’s a shame we can’t be on the podium at the
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.”
“I’m happy with our performance,” said Filipe Albuquerque. “I think Ricky,
myself, Wayne Taylor and the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 team maximized
our Acura around Long Beach. Obviously, we would have liked a podium or finish
ahead of the No. 31, but they were simply too quick. The margin is very small
so it’s all about who wins at Motul Petit Le Mans in a month’s time. Let’s see
how it goes. Still leading the championship, that’s what matters.”
“Coming in, we knew this was going to be a tough race for us,” said team owner
Wayne Taylor. “From the off, it was all three Cadillacs first, second and
third. We said, if the No. 31 wins, we have to be fourth to keep the
championship lead and we’ve done that. We head to Motul Petit Le Mans where
we’ll be on a more even keel, I think.”
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta is back to promoting the Motul Petit Le Mans
in-market with a Kick Off Party held at the Suwanee Town Center! Those who
attend will have the opportunity to participate and witness a driver Q&A
as well as a driver autograph session in advance of the race itself.
Motul Petit Le Mans Kick Off Party
Tuesday, Nov 9 - 6pm-8pm - Suwanee Town Center
Driver Q&A - 6:30pm followed by Autographs - 7:00pm.
The No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-05 2021 competes for the championship at
the deciding Motul Petit Le Mans - Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on November
11-13. Practice begins on Thursday at 9:20 a.m. ET. Green flag will wave on
Saturday, November 13 at 10:10 a.m. ET with complete 10-hour race coverage on
TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold.
TAGS:Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Ricky Taylor, Filipe Albuquerque,
Alexander Rossi, Motul Petit Le Mans, WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,
ZOOM Call, The EDJE
Title exhibit of the "Bond In Motion" exhibit at the Petersen
Automotive Museum's Mullin Grand Salon 1st Floor exhibit space.
Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)
Motor Culture Bond Girls Galore On Display In "Bond In Motion" Petersen Museum Exhibit
This month, the long delayed and anticipated 25th edition of the 007 Bond
feature length movie series "No Time To Die" was released to be shown in
theaters only opened on Friday, October 8th, 2021. The worldwide opening came
to a very successful $330,000,000 box office weekend and marked the end of the
Daniel Craig era of the 007 Bond saga.
Billboard displays at the AMC16 in Burbank opening day of the
feature presentation in the Dolby Sound enhanced Theater #14 of "No
Time To Die." It is recommended that one watch both Casino Royal
(2006) and Spectre (2015) before taking in "No Time To Die" so that
one's mind is fresh with the storylines that feed this 25th edition
of Bond, James Bond. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)
Just one week in advance of this 25th film in the series was released, the
Petersen Automotive Museum opened a new exhibit of the 007 Bond movie
franchise titled "Bond In Motion" which features more than 30 cars, motorcycles, boats, submarines, helicopters and even scale filming models of aircraft from an array of both classic and contemporary Bond films. This exhibit represents some of the most
memorable and indelible 3D vehicle art that, in their own way, delivered
"Bond, James Bond" through motor culture creations (some custom, and some just
perfect for the time of Bond) as strong as the story lines
themselves.
007 graphic from the exhibit hall floor. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks
(2021)
Bond 007 graphic from the top of the exhibit hall staircase. Image
Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)
This exhibit is impressive on many levels, from the detail of the exhibit
descriptions to the general display throughout the environment itself. One of
the initial exhibits upon entering the hall that will command one's attention
is the Bond defining 007 gun-enhanced graphic (above) placed in a two-story
three-dimensional exhibit in the middle of the signature circular staircase
that is a defining structural element of the Mullin Grand Salon.
This 1964 Silver Birch Aston Martin appears as the repeat signature
motor culture Bond Girl ever since it first appeared in EON
Productions' 1964 film Goldfinger. This heart-warming beauty went on
to appear in Thunderball (1965), GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never
Dies (1997), Casino Royale (2006), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015)
and No Time To Die (2021). In addition, the vehicle has appeared in
the video-games 007 Racing (2000), Agent Under Fire (2001), From
Russia with Love (2005), Blood Stone (2010), James Bond: World of
Espionage (2015) and the Best of Bond DLC for Forza Horizon 4
(2018).Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)
As one might guess, an Aston Martin, especially a DB5, is never too far from
one's gaze. The very first vehicle happens to be just that - a perfect DB5 in
every way as shown in many of the 007 Bond films as a reoccurring friend -
even in the last No Time To Die installment.
But enough about the easy hits ... what about the "Nellie" factor? A vehicle
title that shows up twice - one is an up armored. assemble on demand, aircraft and the other is a
luxury sports car that doubles as a submarine.
LITTLE NELLIE
Bond flying Little Nellie in You Only Live Twice - Image Credit:
JamesBondMemes.blogspot.com
Little Nellie (Wallis WA-116 Series 1) - Featured in You Only Live
Twice (1967). A heavily armed gyrocopter that could be transported
in several cases and quickly assembled in the field. Little Nellie,
was designed and built by Wing Commander Ken Wallis and flown by him
in the film, is one of the most celebrated vehicles in the James
Bond series. In the film, James Bond uses the autogyro, supplied by
Q Branch, to give reconnaissance of the Japanese landscape to find
out where SPECTRE’s rockets might be launching from. A cine-camera
fixed to Bond's helmet allowed him to photograph every inch. Image
Credit Edmund Jenks (2012)
On the exhibit floor, Little Nellie appears as a graphic in the exhibit
description that features a model of a Helicopter used in You Only Live Twice
(1967) by SPECTRE to protect their missile/rocket launch site.
SPECTRE security used this Bell Helicopter to chase off James Bond
flying Little Nellie. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)
Exhibit description on a patrol helicopter model used in filming
You Only Live Twice (1967). Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)
WET NELLIE
The Lotus Esprit S1 (or Series 1) is a sports car that was built by Lotus in
the United Kingdom between 1976 and 1978. The car gained fame through its
appearance in the 1977 film, The Spy Who Loved Me, where it was featured in a
long chase sequence on the Italian island of Sardinia; ultimately converting
into a submarine. Appearing in the film's tie-in novelization and video game,
the Esprit also featured in Storm Bringer (1985), 007 Racing (2000) and the
Best of Bond DLC for Forza Horizon 4 (2018).
Q's Wet Nellie as it appears on exhibit with a moving light
splashed over the exterior so as to emulate the Lotus Esprit S1 as a
submarine under the water. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)
OTHER "NELLIES" - as nominated
Custom vehicles that could have carried the the moniker Nellie given their
unusual nature are scattered throughout the Bond In Motion exhibit. These
apparatus tools, given their unique function and special appearances, earn a
vote to be nominated Nellies simply because of the fun they bring to their
film stories as the original Nellies had delivered..
Two candidates for the tag Nellie come from the movie Diamonds Are Forever
(1971) for vehicles designed and/or built by two of the most famous
customizers of craft in the film industry.
MOON BUGGY NELLIE - Built by Dean Jefferies
In the exhibit that features motor culture memorabilia from Diamonds Are
Forever, the featured exhibit that shows a Honda ATV-90 vehicle that James
Bond commanders to escape Willard Whyte's Tectronics Laboratory patrol agents
as they try to track him down while he escapes a laboratory in a Moon Buggy.
1971 HONDA ATC-90. Image Credit : Edmund Jenks (2021)
Dean Jefferies crafted Moon Buggy. Image Credit: MGM/EON
Productions via The James Bond Dossier (2015)
James Bond (Sean Connery) escapes Tectronics Laboratory located in
the desert outside of Las Vegas in an experimental bubble-domed Moon
Buggy that was in the laboratory's warehouse. Image Credit: Edmund
Jenks (2021)
BATH-O-SUB NELLIE - Built by Barris Kustom Industries
This unique marine vehicle plays a pivotal role in Diamonds Are Forever where
James Bond gets the upper hand against arch-enemy and head of SPECTRE, Ernst
Stavro Blofeld.
Nellie candidate Bath-O-Sub with SPECTRE logo on the nose. Image
Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)
Exhibit description of Bath-O-Sub. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks
(2021)
Exhibit description of Bath-O-Sub scene with image. Image Credit:
Edmund Jenks (2021)
The last nominee for adding the name Nellie to a motor culture "Bond Girl"
found inside of the Bond In Motion very special exhibit inside of the
Mullin Grand Salon is originally called the Q Boat ... or as listed in the
Salon as the Q Jet Boat..
PORPOISING NELLIE (Q Boat)
Featured in The World Is Not Enough (1999), PORPOISING NELLIE (Q Boat) was
created by Q as a "fishing boat" for his retirement.
Q Boat as displayed on the floor of the Mullin Grand Salon. Image Credit: Edmund Jenks (2021)
This unique craft came
with missiles, torpedos, and a GPS tracking system. It could also submerge (porpoise)
although the pilot either needed to have his own breathing apparatus or
surface quickly before he drowned. However, this feature wasn't exactly
finished when James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) took it for the defining opening
action sequence which could account for why the pilot was exposed to the
water when using that function.
There are many, many honorable mentions amongst these motor culture Bond Girls that
could qualify as being dubbed a Nellie, and one may wish to explore the possibilities, create their own Nellie nominations list, at the Petersen Automotive Museum soon.
Maybe, a good time might come just after taking in the latest in the 25 movie series, and Daniel Craig's final episode, No Time To Die in theaters only. There are Nellie nominations in there as well.
LARGEST JAMES BOND PROP AND VEHICLE EXHIBIT EVER DISPLAYED IN A U.S. MUSEUM
Little Giant lakes streamliner at Bonneville. Image Credit: reVolt
Systems (2021)
Electro “Little Giant” Posts 353mph Bonneville Run & Earns Bragging Rights
As World's Fastest
On October 1, 2021, a Rockville, Utah based business named Team Vesco,
pioneers in the field of automotive and motorcycle racing and record-setting,
joined forces with Oceanside, California's reVolt Systems led by Eddy
Borysewicz, set a new speed mark for electric-powered vehicles.
Team Vesco 444 reVolt Systems streamliner, dubbed "Little Giant" driven by New
York City resident Eric Ritter, crushed the National Electric E3 Record twice!
First, with a respectable 322mph mark, followed 24-hours later, on Friday,
October 1st, clocking a blistering 353mph average -- 12 miles-per-hour faster
than the current World Record!
Together with significant contributions from American Track Roadster's Greg
Peek and engineering from Trenton Wonsley, the team demonstrated to the world
that electric vehicle technology is the powertrain technology to watch.
“Little Giant” parked some big records on the salt” said Team owner Rick
Vesco. “We are excited about the future of electric vehicles and happy to be a
part of shattering the notion that electric cars are slow!”
Borysewicz, of reVolt, learned about not being afraid to do something that has
never been done when he loaded in 1,152 prismatic lithium ion batteries and
heavily modified pair of Tesla motors.
“Nobody got paid in dollars, only satisfaction,” confessed Eddy B. “We worked
equally on the powertrain as we did good team communications so as to function
together, recognizing there was no time for major mistakes.”
Driver Ritter enthused: “What an incredible ride! The torque off the starting
line -- it’s a monster -- it bolts without hesitation and keeps pulling,
non-stop. Our time slips tell the story, with the 357mph top speed, that 400
is a now a reality, no longer just a dream.”
Power conversion team for the Little Giant from right to left -
Trenton Wonsley, Eddy Borysewicz, Al Vershave. Image Credit: Haley
Wonsley (2021)
Peek was responsible for the design and build complex powertrain section that
connects the motors together and then sends the necessary energy to the
driveline, out to the wheels.
“In design, you start with things that you know and the things you don’t, then
fill in the blanks and connect the dots,” Explained hot rod veteran Peek. “The
main parts had to go through six complex processes to end up with something
useful and reliable. You can go for cheap or go for bullet proof. I think our
new National record shows which one we chose.”
The 444 attained both National E3 Class Records in only four runs down the
racecourse. All records require 2 runs that are averaged to the record speed,
but World Records have the added requirement of completing both runs within 60
minutes. The "reVolting" Little Giant’s battery pack was recharged with solar
power using a Tier 4 solar trailer.
Noteworthy is that Don Vesco’s current 458mph FIA World Record driving the
Turbinator and yet Dave Spangler vanquished the international number by
recording a 482mph National Record in 2018 when posting a one-way eye-popping
503mph in Turbinator II.
Other bright spark contributors were Al Vershave of AVS Fabrication, Jon Amo
of Gates Belts, Nick Katrov of NDK Paragon, Andrew Char, and Gregg Snow.
