Hey Scotto,
Ditto, ditto and ditto. Electrics don't like to race electrics.......why???????? They don't like to beat each other? So it seems.
I don't mind 1 iota racing electrics that are of equal power, but how do you truly determine that??? This is the only gray area I see at the races and I attend most all of them.
Look at the past e-races, its been like running a 50cc 4stroke against 300cc 4strokes. At the last Grange race, I was the "only" electric running. I've no desire to run in the unlimited class; would rather run in a low-power pedal class. Yes, 'Aleman' I'm a pedalhead, love those century rides! Would love to find out how my upgraded e-chaser compares with #98 Nashmoto.
Determining e-power isn't hard except for attitudes; I'll let others lead with their chins on this issue! Mention generic ways to set power restrictions and you'd think some folks lively hoods had been threatened.
1) heat is your primary power limiter, (or more precisely, how fast a motor can shed heat) how big the electric motor is roughly determines its' power once hot, after a few laps. ie simply length X diameter will yield a crude though doable size limit (as well, screwing on full power in early laps actually drastically cuts overall power a lap or 2 later)
2)power inputed; nominal battery Voltage X controller Amperage (this can be mickeyed just as mods on gas bikes can be)
74V batt X 40Amp controller = 2960Watts divide by 750W around
4hp
Times 2 it could be equated to an 8hp gas bike, but not really. I'd have no problem running my 4hp electric, more technically 3hp, in the sub 10hp 4stroke or 2stroke China Girl class, but unlimited is not for bikes that one can pedal out of corners.
I think electrics should establish themselves before calling for rules that appear to favor 'em. Recently, we've started to finish races and finish well, so maybe next year?
1 electric horsepower to 2 gas horsepower would be close to even though gives gas a little advantage
Same yet slightly more technical e-power calculation here:
http://http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=41072&page=2
