Asian Motor Sports

Motorsport specialist Zytek Engineering has confirmed that its 550bhp V8 engines and electric gear shift system (EGS) have successfully completed the entire A1GP test and race schedule without a single failure. The 58 engines, designed specifically for the World Cup of Motorsport, demonstrated 100 percent reliability by completing a total of 103,857 miles in races across Europe, Middle East, Africa, America, Asia and Australia.

Designed and manufactured in the UK by Zytek, the engines and EGS reliably ran for a total combined period of nearly 48 days. During this period the EGS performed a punishing 1,188,040 gear shifts. With races across the globe, this performance was achieved in grueling conditions that saw ambient temperatures reach 39ºC. This performance was more impressive coupled with the fact that each car was driven by multiple drivers.

“The A1GP series has proven to be an extremely successful concept with some of the closest racing I have seen,” says Zytek’s operations director John Manchester.

Zytek won the prestigious A1GP contract beating five other engine manufacturers. With an enviable reputation for supplying engines and technical expertise to many different race series Zytek was also awarded the contract to develop and supply the EGS. The EGS is lighter and simpler than alternative hydraulic or pneumatic systems and its all-electric operation is precise, reducing wear to the selector mechanism and dog rings. “Zytek has a long history building reliable racing engines,” continues Manchester. “This experience coupled with exceptional quality control in-house and track side engineering support team ensures the engines are consistently delivering performance and reliability.”

A1 Chief Operating Officer, David Clare said:

“The A1 engines developed by Zytek have completed thousands of miles over numerous tests and races without a single engine failure. The reliability of the engines in the first season of A1 is a remarkable achievement and has allowed the emphasis to remain on close and exciting racing.”

To increase overtaking opportunities the Zytek engine offers the driver the possibility to increase power by 30bhp through the use of a boost button. Unsurprisingly, the drivers used the optional power boost feature more than 3000 times, releasing a further 92,520bhp.

The arduous life of this season’s engines is not over yet. Once they have reached their maximum running time they will be subjected to an overhaul and refresh before returning to the tracks in October 2006.

“As the series grows, we look forward to continuing our strong relationship with A1,” adds Zytek’s Manchester.

Zytek Engine Statistics:

Total distance covered during 2005/2006 season 103857 miles
Total number of gearshifts 1,188,040
Total number of 30bhp powerboosts 3,084
Total running time (excludes tests) 47 days 18 hours 40 mins 51 secs
Maximum distance by a single team 8139km (New Zealand)
Track that witnessed most gearchanges – Dubai (115567)
Track that saw the most mileage – Dubai 10681 miles