The Electric Vehicle Association of Washington, DC and the National Electric Drag Racing Association are putting on an exhibition of electric vehicles and their capabilities called the Power of DC. The event has been held for the last six years at the Mason-Dixon Drag Way in Hagerstown, Maryland. This year, the seventh year of the event, we are adding an autocross event the day before the drag race. This will be an EV autocross event, (dubbed EVautoX). The EVautoX will take place at Hagerstown Community College June 2nd, admission is free. The electric vehicle drag race event will take place at the Mason Dixon Drag Way on June 3rd, spectator admission is $5.
Because of the added event of the EVautoX, the Power of DC organization is in need of sponsors. There is growing interest in plug-in vehicles and this is the closest sanctioned event of its kind to Washington, DC. Sponsors of significance will have their logo placed on the events official T-shirt.
The Power of DC is mainly an exhibition demonstrating the speed and power that can be achieved using electricity as a fuel. What better way to show the acceleration capabilities of electric vehicles than through a drag race. The drag race has helped to dispel the sometimes common perception that electric vehicles are slow off the line. This year the Power of DC will be showing electric vehicles maneuverability, range and look through the EVautoX, which tests electric vehicles in slalom like timed courses, range courses and in a beauty contest called the Show-n-Shine.
At the demonstrations we will have a super efficient, super aerodynamic, and super light weight EV called the AZTEC. This vehicle was the winner of the commuter category in the 1994 American Tour de Sol. The University of West Virginia will be bringing its electrically powered Formula race car, (called a Formula Lightning when electric). The Formula Lightning vehicle can reach speeds up to 145 miles an hour on a race track without any pollutants coming from the vehicle. There will be other vehicles there to see and to touch, such as a solar panel clad Destiny 2000, a convertible Cabriolet, a few home converted Ford Escorts, a Toyota built RAV4 EV, and a Solectria Force. All vehicles that are worth coming to the show to see touch and ask the owners questions about. There will also be vehicles built by high school students, such as the Miramar 944 Porsche, and Shawn Lawless’s famous Orange Juice dragster, as I said plenty of vehicles to see and touch. But there is more to the electric vehicle movement than just electric vehicles.
The electric vehicles movement is part of the larger alternative fuels movement. There will be demonstrations of solar panels, solar ovens, evacuated tube water heating and more. We still have room for exhibitors, so the door is open for organizations and companies to display their alternative fuel and energy products at the events.
Even though the Power of DC is a well attended event, this year our hope is to make it even bigger. We are asking that all schools, high schools, colleges, universities, and all organizations that are working on alternative fuels and electric drive trains, if they have products or vehicles to showcase to bring them to the event. We would really like to see a solar powered vehicle, one that was built to compete in competitions like the World Solar Challenge to be displayed at the event. We believe that advanced battery manufacturers and researchers would find a welcome home at these events. Organizations that are developing and selling electric motors for the hybrid and plug-in markets would be in line with the theme of the event. Automobile manufacturers exhibiting their hybrid technology would be a perfect fit. What ever you have that you feel the public should know about in terms of automotive advanced technology, alternative fuels and alternative energy contact us. I am sure we can make room for you in the event.
So, we need your assistance. First thing we would like you to do is spread the word about the Power of DC. Come and be there your self, bring family members, tell friends to make a weekend of it and come and have a good time. The second thing we need help on is finding sponsors. If you know of an organization or company that would be interested in beefing up its green credentials, here is their opportunity. The Power of DC is that event that has vast popular appeal, from the environmentalist to the automotive gear head, from the peace nick to the security hawk, the Power of DC brings all these groups together on common ground. Sponsoring our event upsets no one. Thirdly, bring your stuff. If you have an electric vehicle or an alternative fueled vehicle of any kind, bring it to the event. If you work in batteries, electric motors, controllers, capacitors or power electronics, bring it to the event and show it off. We welcome you. If you are in the solar panel, solar hot water heating business, if you sell high efficiency appliances, super insulation, bring it to the show. EV people tend to purchase those things also to the tune of 40%. For example, 40% of electric vehicle owners in California also have solar panels on their homes. It is precisely the market you are looking for. Car dealers, if you have hybrids of any kind, whether they be small cars to large trucks, this is the place to be. Show electric vehicles owners need to tow their vehicles long distances for shows. A hybrid truck is just the thing to bring to such an event. If you bring it, we will make room for it. In the end what we need is to bring your selves and your friends and family, bring sponsors, and bring your stuff. With that the Power of DC will become the catalyst to making the world better for our children and our children’s children, but we will be having so much fun doing it, too.
For more information on this exciting EVent visit our website at
http://www.powerofdc.com
To Register, fill out our convenient Registration Form at http://www.powerofdc.com/lets_race.html
A downloadable file of the EVent flyer is available at http://www.powerofdc.com/powerofdc_flyer.pdf
For sponsorship opportunity contact Chip Gribben the organizer of the Power of DC
futurev@radix.net
240-687-1678
For EVautoX information contact Mike Harvey
info@harveyev.com
And if you don’t know who to contact, contact me and we will figure it out.
Joe Lado
joelado@yahoo.com
