Drivers of the competing milk floats, Richard Rhozon (right) and Daniel
Hoffman-Gill (left)
Mirrored from:
http://www.evxl.com/pages/news_01.html
At Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, near Leicester, this exciting
newcomer to the South Wales automotive scene officially became the first
ever holder of the world speed record for milk floats – set at an
astonishing 73.39 mph. The Electron E150 is capable of speeds in excess of
100mph and weighs 2.5 tonnes*
The £50k project has achieved instant success for the team behind it, from
VXL Automotive (formerly Vehicle Exports Ltd), part of the Symonds
Hydroclean group based at Rogerstone near Newport, Gwent.
Chief Executive and founder of the Symonds Hydroclean group, Paul Symonds
said “This is a huge boost for the South Wales automotive industry in
general and the Symonds group in particular”. He continued, “The success
of Electron can only help to highlight the economic and environmental
advantages of electric-powered commercial vehicles. ”
The E150 took up the challenge laid down by a rival England-based team,
Electric Dreams, as part of a network documentary production to be
screened on ITV1 in the autumn. But Electron’s one double run was more
than enough to see off the opposition, who could only manage a best of 52
mph, despite having two attempts.
Their success will put driver Richard Rozhon, 32, one of Wales’ most
promising Formula 3 racers, from St Clears, into the Guinness Book of
Records, who have given the event their endorsement.
It also a welcome triumph for Electron Team Leader Martin Rees, “This
really was a marvellous team effort,” Mr Rees said after the
record-breaking success. “We have benefitted hugely from the help and
support we have received from all over South Wales.”
Chief Mechanic Paul Roberts (VXL), Chief Engineer Kevin Lewis (Symonds
Hydroclean) and their teams were working on Electron until the last minute
to ensure that the run went smoothly.
The Electron is the first in a line of new electric commercial vehicles
that VXL Automotive will roll out in the coming year.
“We have a number of production orders already”, Mr Rees said, “and
development prototypes will be delivered to our existing customers within
weeks.” These include Bridgend-based dairy Golden Vale, Cardiff’s
University Hospital of Wales and the prestigious new IKEA store due to
open in Cardiff in the autumn.
The Electron project has gained both financial and technical support from
a number of South Wales companies, including Llandaff Engineering in
Cardiff, who built the chassis, Amalfi Designs (Ammanford) which built the
eye-catching body, battery manufacturers Fiamm and, of course, the Symonds
Hydroclean Group in Rogerstone, which owns VXL Automotive.
The team now hopes to increase its speeds at further events with an
eventual aim of reaching 100mph.
*The record attempt was conducted under the auspices of the World
Milk-float Speed Record Association, and was calculated as the average
speed achieved of two passes, one in each direction, over a flying
quarter-mile. It also covered a standing quarter-mile in 23 seconds,
another record.
The Electron E150 was pitched against a second vehicle, a converted
Morrison traditional style milk-float, ran by the ‘Electric Dreams’ team
and driven by TV presenter Daniel Hoffman-Gill. Although unsuccessful on
the day, Daniel said ‘"This is the most exciting project I have ever been
involved in. It has always been my dream to hold a world land speed
record, but, we were beaten by the quicker side today. I hope we can
challenge the Electron E150 to a re-match very soon.
Notes:
The Electron E150 is available for filming/photography at the VXL/Symonds
Hydroclean headquarters, Wern Industrial Estate, Rogerstone and by
arrangement with Martin Rees (Tel: 01633 898191 or 07766 992933).
Pre-taken photographs are also available on request.
Electron’s next appearance will be on display at the Newport v. Pontypool
rugby match, sponsored by VXL Automotive Limited, on Saturday September
6th., at Rodney Parade, Newport, when further photography and interviews
will be available.
For further high resolution pictures and video footage contact Martin Rees
07766 992933
VXL Automotive Limited
HEAD OFFICE
Wern Industrial Estate
Rogerstone
Newport
South Wales
NP10 9XX
tel: 01633 898191
fax: 01633 896618
e-mail: electron@evxl.com
website: www.evxl.com
Paul Symonds
Chief Executive
mobile: 07836 721977
e-mail: psymonds@evxl.com
Dean Rolland
Managing Director
mobile: 07802 334176
e-mail: drolland@evxl.com
Brian Hazelden
Sales Manager
mobile: 07774 206313
e-mail: bhazelden@evxl.com
Martin Rees
Marketing and Sales Director
mobile: 07766 992933
e-mail: mrees@evxl.com
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