Air Race E, the electric air race, has announced it is launching two new distinct race classes: one an airplane and the other a VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft). The move to amplify its operations and create more races is the direct result of high levels of interest and demand from across the industry.

The new airplane formula will be named the Performance Class and will be based on a standard electric powertrain, which will focus on optimisation, efficiency and extracting the maximum potential out of a powertrain. Air Race E is developing this new race plane under its own roof with the help of leading manufacturers in the industry.

Some modifications and enhancements will be allowed in the Performance Class to continue Air Race E’s mission of accelerating technological innovation and showcasing new technologies in the aerospace electrification industry.

Air Race E’s existing race airplane formula will be re-named the Open Class referring to the fact that any and all manufacturers can produce their own unique powertrain configurations up to 150kW power. Both airplane classes will be raced according to the same rules but with differences governing the powertrains.

The new electric VTOL class will be named the V-Class. VTOLs – often called flying cars – are a different category of aircraft altogether and at the forefront of electric technology in aerospace.  Air Race E is positioning this class as “The World’s First Vertical Motorsport.” The race format and rules will be somewhat different than the other two race classes and will be revealed soon.

Jeff Zaltman, CEO of Air Race E, said: “The launch of the new Performance Class and V-Class will allow us to include more stakeholders in our project and greatly increase our ability to meet the needs of the industry while organising a thrilling motorsport.

“The Performance Class will provide deeper insights on power management and best practices and will steer more dedication to the sub-systems such as cooling, battery management systems, power electronics and aerodynamics.

“The V-Class demonstrates a major step-change in air racing. Air Race E will be working directly with the top pioneering organisations in the e-VTOL world to shape the event to be at the vanguard of both technology and entertainment in this next generation of motorsport.”