GENERAL VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Electrathon vehicles are single person, lightweight, aerodynamic, high efficiency, electric vehicles with three or four wheels. They must meet specific design and safety rules. They are powered by deep cycle lead acid battery packs not exceeding 64 pounds.

OBJECTIVES OF ELECTRATHON COMPETITION

Electrathon is a type of Electric Marathon in which the winner is determined by how far you go in a certain time with a given amount of battery power. Electrathon class competition uses specific design rules to ensure safe and fair competition. Electrathon events are held around the country and is an exciting new environmentally progressive sport.

  • To drive electrically powered vehicles as far as possible for one hour on a closed loop course using limited electrical energy.
  • To provide a forum where skill and ingenuity may be displayed, compared and tested.
  • To improve public awareness and understanding of efficient alternative electric vehicles.
  • To create an affordable sport defined by established rules in which groups and Individuals can participate competitively and safely. NOTE: There are other kinds of Electric Marathon events including Road Rallies, F/EX, Electron Run and electric Kart competitions. They should not be confused as being ELECTRATHON AMERICA events.

ELECTRATHON DIVISIONS

In 2004 CT Electrathon became an innovator in becoming one of the first programs to incorporate classes. Classes were made because of the growing interest and the new types of vehicles being made. This also allows for new competitors to have a better experience and to keep fair contest among very serious competitors. The three class are Novice, Classic and Composite.

NOVICE CLASS includes vehicles of schools that are new to the Electrathon Series and are competing for the first or second time, these vehicles cannot be composite. If a Novice vehicle completes more than 100 laps in their first race they will be moved to the Classic class for the next event

  • CLASSIC CLASS includes any vehicle that is made of metal or is a kit car and the team has competed with the vehicle in prior events.
  • COMPOSITE CLASS is for advanced vehicles made of composite materials such as fiber glass, with no frame.

HISTORY

CT Electrathon began in 2001 with the inaugural CT Electrathon Challenge held at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut. The CT Electrathon Challenge was formed after learning of the Great Alternative Energy event that was formed by Central Connecticut State University and RHAM High School. The CT Electrathon Challenge was made to include more research and engineering and to incorporate it into a high school atmosphere. This program has been growing steadily by about 20% per year and thanks to Lime Rock’s donation of their track twice per year we hope it can continue to grow. It has grown to include not just Connecticut schools but schools from around the country and Canada. In turn many of these schools themselves have begun to form Electrathon events in their respective states.