In our previous post, we discussed the attendees at the Dakar Future Mission 1000 (Tacita and Arctic Leopard), but it appears that we overlooked a third participant, as pointed out by our keen-eyed readers. We have just learned that Wattpower Racing, along with Galician driver Fran Gómez Pallas, will also be competing in the sustainable category at the Dakar 2024 competition.
Wattpower Racing: “At Wattpower Racing, our goal is to showcase a variety of vehicles powered by alternative energy sources instead of fossil fuels. In Mission 1000, we will conduct regularity tests and score various parameters to compare different proposals. While not an official competition, there will still be a sense of competition as we compete against other prototypes with different approaches and configurations. It will be fascinating to see how our vehicle measures up against the others.”
Fran Gómez Pallas, a pilot from Galicia, will ride an electric motorcycle with the number 1005 through the harsh Saudi desert. The motorcycle was built in Barcelona and specifically designed for rally-raid events.
The silent beast of the desert – tech specs:
- Double cradle chassis / subframe / swingarm / transmission plate on-board pilot tools designed and built by WPR in Titanium tube and sheet
- Stirrups, Titanium hardware
- IPM motor, internal permanent magnets, with 20 kW nominal power and maximum power peaks limited to 50 kW
- Air-cooled power-train.
- 21kwh battery, (max. discharge limited to 450A, voltage of 116V.)
- Maximum torque on the drive pinion, 130 NM / Torque on the wheel 980 NM
- RPMs limited to 6000 RPM
- Estimated maximum speed 150 km/h.
- Specific WP suspensions for the Dakar rally
- Magura brakes
- Mixed mousse/tubeless wheels on aluminum rims.
- Weight 190 kg
- simulation of exhaust tail for water bottle
Fran Gómez Pallas: “After competing in 7 Dakar races on a motorcycle, I felt the need to take on a new and unique challenge. Since my last race in 2018, I have been working on a novel project: racing the Dakar on an electric motorcycle. My friend Joan Puig handcrafted a prototype, using designs inspired by top-performing motorcycles from previous Dakar races. The bike includes a battery weighing approximately 90 kilograms and delivers an unprecedented level of power. This project excites me because it paves the way for a more sustainable future.
We have been working on this project for three years and our goal is twofold: first, to successfully finish this year’s Mission 1000 category; and second, (in the future) to eventually complete the same route as the motorcycle category, proving that an electric motorcycle can conquer the tough and grueling stages of the Dakar. We hope to discuss with the organizers how we can incorporate our electric motorcycle into the traditional motorcycle category. David Castera has shown great interest in our project, recognizing its potential for shaping the future of this race.
Pictures © Wattpower Racing (social media accounts) & Dakar Future Mission 1000