Energica launches to first-ever EV race lead at Laguna Seca – or anywhere
Stefano Mesa and Tytlers Cycle Racing have completed round five and six of the 2023 Super Hooligan National Championship, which took place at the WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway. This was another opportunity to shine for the Kit-Corsa-Clienti-equipped Energica Eva Ribelle RS, which in the capable hands of the 30-year-old Colombian rider wrote a new chapter in the history of motorcycling, as Roland Sands himself stated on commentary: “The first EV ever in the world to lead a race against ICE machinery”. Mesa exploited the immense torque of the Energica streetfighter machine to bend space and time and enter Turn One ahead of the rest of the field in Race One.
But it was Race Two that proved how the rider and the technical package are gelling together, as Mesa showed a whole different pace on Sunday and set his quickest lap in 1:31.272secs, a time that would have placed him on fourth place on the grid and is within three-tenths of a second of the all-time electric lap record at Laguna Seca set by Steve Rapp in 2013.
Stefano’s efforts did not go unnoticed by his peers: soon after Saturday’s Super Hooligan Race One, he had to take part in the grueling, extended 38-lap Supersport race. Many Supersport riders, including multiple MotoAmerica Superbike champion Josh Hayes praised Mesa’s speed, determination and stamina which led to a fourth-place finish in that race.
With a sixth and a fifth in the two Super Hooligan encounters, Mesa and Tytlers Cycle Racing are back to P6 in the overall championship standings and are only seven points away from the top five.
“Fantastic result. If you know everybody who’s behind Energica, you know this bike works. Stefano knows how to make it work and the team knows how to make it work. This is fabulous!” says Michael Kiley, Team Principal of Tytlers Cycle Racing and firm believer of the Made-in-Modena electric bike’s potential in the series.
With Laguna Seca being one of the most attended racetracks on the MotoAmerica calendar and considering the fact that is located in the most EV-friendly state in the USA, the stunning PETRONAS iona-liveried Eva Ribelle grabbed the attention of the many fans who joined in this time out. This included a number of Energica owners who rode from as far away as Los Angeles and San Diego to cheer on their hero, whose bikes crowded the entrance to Garage 20, seemingly standing guard over the #137 race bike itself.
Energica, Tytlers Cycle Racing and Stefano Mesa return to the action on September 8-10 at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, for the season’s final event.
- Click here for the current championship standings
- Click on the following links to watch the full encounters (YouTube) Race one – Race two
About Energica Motor Company
Headquartered in historic Modena, Italy, is the sustainable subsidiary of CRP Group – a pioneer in the world of international motorsports and a hub of excellence known for its state-of-the-art technologies.
Over 45 years of innovation have made CRP Group one of the leading international players for cutting-edge CNC Machining, Additive Manufacturing with advanced laser sintering materials Windform.
Between 2008 and 2009 CRP Group has invested in the new field of sustainable vehicles.
In 2009 the opportunity to develop a fully electric racing motorcycle was taken: the eCRP project was born.
After two years of racing, the Group started working on the road version: thanks to the CRP technologies developed for the aerospace and F1, the Energica project was born.
CRP Group has put strategic know-how and technical direction into further developing electric technology and creating a line of premium electric motorcycles for the everyday rider.
Our history comes from racing. Energica is part of the CRP Group, since 1970 a pioneer in the world of international motorsports and a hub of excellence for its state-of-the-art technologies. Our passion for this sector has never faded.
Energica Motor Company – Livia Cevolini, CEO
In 2006 CRP Racing was established as the racing department of CRP Technology. From 2007 to 2010 CRP Racing started to race in the major Italian trophies: the Honda Trophy 125cc and the Italian Road Racing Championship (CIV).
The team achieved many victories during these years and good placements as a wild card in the 125cc MotoGP World Championship.
In 2010 the team carried out an innovative project in the field of electric motorcycles, designing and creating a real racing motorbike, the eCRP that took part in the first world zero carbon championship TTXGP and the e-Power FIM Championship.
The e-CRP was runner-up World Champion in 2011 and European Champion in 2010 electric racing motorcycle.
In 2018 Energica was chosen by Dorna as the single manufacturer for the FIM Enel MotoETM World Cup, starting in 2019. The sportbike model, the Ego, will be used by teams racing the FIM Enel MotoETM World Cup in a raceway version.
In April 2022, Energica was acquired by Ideanomics (NASDAQ: IDEX), a global group with a simple mission to accelerate the commercial adoption of electric vehicles. Ideanomics brings together vehicles and charging technology with design, implementation, and financial services by providing the solutions needed for the commercial world to commit to an EV future.