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Corsa Ginetta-Zytek to Race as Hybrid at Lime Rock

Corsa Motorsports’ Ginetta-Zytek 09HS prototype will compete for the first time in hybrid configuration this weekend at Lime Rock Park for the American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix. (Earlier post.)

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Corsa’s Ginetta-Zytek has been officially homologated as a hybrid. Click to enlarge.

Officials with the FIA were more than satisfied with the performance and stability of the prototype’s battery pack. The move officially makes the Ginetta-Zytek the first hybrid entry to compete in the American Le Mans Series.

The car is homologated—fully legal to race as a hybrid—and is no longer running as a conventional race car come Lime Rock. This has been a long time coming. We are excited to show people what we’ve been working on all these months.

—Corsa crew chief Adrian Lindsey

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Hybrid components. Source: Corsa. Click to enlarge.

The 09HS is powered through a combination of a new ethanol-fueled (E10) internal combustion engine and the hybrid system, consisting of a 45 kW (peak) electric motor with a 35 kW, 120V Li-ion battery pack for energy storage. Zytek supplied the electric motor; Continental supplied both the Li-ion pack and the power electronics.

The asynchronous electric motor is oil-cooled and mounted in the bellhousing and geared to the input shaft of the gearbox. During braking the motor serves as a generator and under acceleration serves as a drive assist.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) along with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and SAE International have recognized the Series as the first and only motorsports body to meet the criteria for “green racing.” All Series entries compete on street-legal alternative fuels: low-sulfur diesel; E10; cellulosic E85; and hybrid power.

The American Le Mans Series, Michelin, DOE, EPA and SAE also have jointly created the MICHELIN Green X Challenge, a competition at all 2009 Series events which ranks all cars on overall performance, fuel efficiency and environmental impact.

The American Le Mans Northeast Grand Prix at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn., is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 18. The race also will mark the fifth round of the MICHELIN Green X Challenge.

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