Rochester Institute Of Technology Wins EMotoRacing Varsity Challenge

Troy Siahaan
by Troy Siahaan

From an eMotoRacing press release:

Karl Smolenski completed the 8-lap race on the student-built electric racebike, in an impressive first outing on the Kawasaki ZX636-based prototype.

At the end of last year’s racing season, universities from around the U.S. and Canada were invited to compete in the AHRMA-sanctioned eMotoRacing event at New Jersey Motorsports Park July 11,12.

Eric Wood of Woodcraft Technologies, America’s road racing gear provider, graciously posted a $1000 scholarship to the winning collegiate team. Nine teams expressed acute interest in participating, but building a competent prototype electric racebike is no easy or quick task. Four teams had bikes completed and poised to contend. During final testing just before the event, technical difficulties sidelined most of them.

The RIT EV Team stood tall by meeting the challenge, bringing a huge following to NJMP. They were treated to a raucous reception at the evening’s award ceremony as the Woodcraft Scholaship was presented.

Isle of Man Manx GP veteran racer Smolenski showed poise with lap times approaching competitve in eMotoRacing’s eSupersport class. The race was won by defending class champion Arthur Kowitz on his Brammo based streamliner. Pete Nicolosi of SC lead for most of the race, until Kowitz reeled him at the beginning of the final lap. Each rider had sections of the track where they held the advantage, making for an exciting race. Andrew Cowell came in third, followed by Bob Berbeco of Indiana, and Smolensky on the RIT entry.

Results:
1. Arthur Kowitz Brammo TTX
2. Pete Nicolosi Brammo Empulse R
3. Andrew Cowell Brammo Empulse R
4. Bob Berbeco Brammo Empulse R
5. Karl Smolenski RIT EV prototype
6. Scott Signorini Brammo Empulse R DNF
7 CR Gittere Prototype DNS

Troy Siahaan
Troy Siahaan

Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.

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