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THE RULES - CANNONBALL INTERNATIONAL SERIES™
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OFFICIAL CANNONBALL INTERNATIONAL ZEV ROUTES
The Cannonball ZEV International Runs™ is a series of friendly runs that is open to all comers provided that they hold a current driving license and the vehicle that they intend using for their attempt is road legal (taxed and insured). Your car may be a production vehicle, or a custom build or kit car based on production running gear. If there is not yet a run near you, by all means suggest one to us for inclusion. This is an international (not for profit) series, operating on a small budget and staffed by volunteers. As you can see from the above, . You can help us by working out a route in your area that is viable and could be popular, and keeping us up to speed with local developments.
HANDICAP and POINTS SYSTEM (TROPHY)
You might think that by entering your car for a run in France or Spain that you cannot win the Bluebird™ World Cup, when you are up against potential runners in Canada or Egypt. We recognize that in the early years of these events that it is unlikely that local teams will be able to travel to other countries like Brazil, Russia or the US, to tackle the longer distance events, hence gain more points and ultimately a victory.
Take heart then, that with our handicap system it is possible to win the World Cup by completing a local event. There are several ways that this may be achieved:
1. That you are the only team competing in any one year anywhere in the world - in which case you will take the Bluebird World Trophy unchallenged - and might we add deservedly so for boldly going where nobody has gone before.
2. That your team has completed more than one local run, racking up more points in any one year than a single long distance run.
3. That your team spent less money per mile than other teams who may have completed similar distances.
4. That your time per mile is quicker than other teams, without breaking any national speed limits.
ROUTE PLANNING
The planned routes should be adhered to with as few deviations as possible, save those necessary where plug-in or fast charging is the refueling method. There is no need to plan your attempt to run with other ZEVs, but such rallies may be beneficial to promote the cause.
You may make your run whenever it suits your agenda. To qualify for entry as an official ZEV Cannonballer, all that is required is to register your attempt with us no later that 3 calendar months prior to any event. We would of course prefer 6 or even 12 months advance notification. Just send us an email to get the ball rolling: cannon@bluebird-electric.net
WHAT IS A ZEV?
A ZEV is a Zero Emission Vehicle, that is a car, van or other road vehicle (including motorcycles) that emits no harmful gases. Examples of ZEV's are:
1. Electric vehicles 2. Hydrogen gas powered vehicles 3. Flywheel powered vehicles 4. Compressed air powered vehicles
There will of course be others, and please email us for clarification if you are unsure.
EXAMPLE ZEVs
There are several off-the-shelf production cars that are suitable for these events. You are looking for a ZEV with about a 100+ mile range so that recharging stops will be reduced. The Tesla Roadster below has a 245 mile range. The BMW i8 (hybrid) has a range of 37 clean miles; looks great but doesn't cut the mustard. Other popular cars include the Nissan Leaf - a very reliable EV with a travelled pedigree.
SPEED LIMITS
Unlike the movie, the ZEV Cannonball events are not races. You must keep within national speed limits at all times except where it would be dangerous not to do so. If you are caught speeding and prosecuted, you will (unfortunately) be disqualified, despite your best intentions. The objective of these road trips is to demonstrate to the authorities and motoring public at large that ZEVs can compete on range and performance.
Performance will be seen to be equaled once a route is completed in the minimum time that is possible while obeying speed restrictions. Once that target is reached, that will not prevent other teams from seeking to equal the record, such as to take the Bluebird™ trophy and to seek to hold that trophy for another year.
REGISTRATION
Teams wishing to enter a vehicle for an attempt should contact us by post:
Cannonball International ZEV Series Solar House, BN27 1RF United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 7842 607865
or preferably by Email: cannon@bluebird-electric.net
DOCUMENTATION
We will need details of your drivers (license), proof of insurance and road tax on the vehicle that you are entering - all of which will be treated in the strictest confidence and Data Protected - as per the UK Acts.
We will need details of the vehicle that you are entering together with in-date test certificate and any support vehicles and drivers. Though it is only the entry vehicle that is scrutinized as to roadworthiness. A valid MOT (or the equivalent in your country) is taken as road worthiness. In some cases a vehicle may need to be vetted by way of physical inspection.
Please let us know which of our official courses you are attempting and when, and optionally, details of any sponsors and other contributors (volunteers) that deserve a mention.
If you have your own website, please supply the URL for listing purposes.
PROOF OF JOURNEY
You will need to fit your vehicle with an approved GPS tracker or computer software, from which a data log can be generated to confirm the details of your run. Most mobile phones now include GPS and there are many compatible applications to track and plot just about anything - and even show your progress online.
An example of the kind of system that is likely to qualify - and in this case even enhance the performance of your vehicle, is the TomTom Ecoplus. Ecoplus gives drivers a simple alert on their device when they are speeding, steering and braking excessively, through Active Driver Feedback - which monitors driver behaviour. Other fine examples for events, is Map My Track and Endomondo software for mobile phones. With Endomondo on your phone, you can track your running, cycling and other sports. It's fun, it's social and it's motivating.
MAP MY (YOUR) TRACK
With the Map My Tracks application and a
mobile
phone, you can plan, promote, manage and track sports events live. You create your routes and track participants with live GPS tracking with a mobile phone application for participants to use.
Telephone: +44 (0)1227 811771 Email: events@mapmytracks.com
OPEN VEHICLE MONITORING SYSTEM
TOM
TOM WEBFLEET
Avoid traffic and inefficient ‘stop-start’ driving with TomTom Eco Routes and HD Traffic™.
Reduce mileage by as much as 16% by giving drivers the most accurate routing.
Help drivers reach their destination faster through live in-vehicle traffic information and smart routing
BLUE BIRD WORLD CUP™ TROPHY
The drivers, or as appropriate, team or company name, will be added to the appropriate national Bluebird™ Trophy. It is important to have your details correct as it is expensive to correct mistakes later. A point system will be used to calculate the winner of the outright Bluebird™ World Cup for the year in question.
The Bluebird World Cup trophy
BLUE RIBAND ECO MEDAL
Any team completing one of our official routes, will qualify for a Blue Riband Eco-Medal. Click on the picture below for more info.
The Blue Ribband eco medal
MEDIA
Six months or more advance notice will gain you more publicity, thus please register the moment you have a team that wishes to enter any of our published routes. We will then add your team to the official list of competitors and where applicable, alert the media.
We'd advise registering more than 12-18 months in advance, to give you more time to get organised and to develop your project. We will not publish this information until you are ready to go live.
TV RIGHTS
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Please contact us to discuss the possibilities.
ITS A SMALL WORLD - The international series of 'Cannonball EV' events are on the increase, bringing the whole world together as one big family to tackle a global problem. Soon, you'll be able to enter an event almost locally. Every event will send a message to politicians and manufacturers around the world that EVs are here to stay - by popular demand - and they'd better start taking them and the wishes of the public seriously. All we want to see is an infrastructure that clean motorists can have confidence in. Don't you?
OFFICIAL CANNONBALL INTERNATIONAL ZEV ROUTES
The Cannonball EV Run™ series is for battery or hydrogen fuel cell powered electric vehicles, or any Zero Emission Vehicle that is based on ordinary production vehicle running gear and must be capable of carrying at least one passenger. The production derived cars may be solar assisted, provided that the solar panel area does not exceed four square meters on larger vehicles - a rule that may be relaxed as we learn from experience.
These rules are designed to promote the development of an international Smart EV infrastructure, as a means of accelerating the transition from IC engines to clean electric motors. Though a percentage of energy may be by solar assistance, the Cannonball EV series should not be confused with solar powered only events such as the World Solar Challenge.
Much though, can be learned from the history of that event, which has now exceeded the target performance and is more restricted by the national speed limit of 81mph, recently raised from 68 mph in part due to the WSC revelations: that solar cars were fast.
REWARDS - After a long drive, you may build up a thirst that needs quenching. Whatever your favourite tipple, we'll be there to toast your success and celebrate with the award of a Blue Riband. Sponsors are invited for each geographical event.
LINKS & REFERENCE
http://www.openvehicles.com/ http://www.endomondo.com/routes/create/ 2000-mile-wave-rally-of-electric-vehicles-and-bikes-travels-from-paris-to-prague/ http://www.worldsolarchallenge.org/ http://www.discovery-campervans.com.au/adelaidedarwin.php http://www.endtoenders.co.uk/ https://maps.google.com/ VAUXHALL AMPERA endurance ev attempt 2010_ampera_e-revs http://www.formaplex.com/news/formaplex-launches-electric-car-world-record-attempt/ http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/31/racing-green-endurance-srzero-electric-car-to-make-16-000-mile-t/ http://www.rideacrossbritain.com/packages/end-to-end/ http://www.discoveradventure.com/challenges/land-s-end-to-john-o-groats-cycle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land%27s_End_to_John_o%27_Groats
A - Z OF WORLD FAMOUS RACING CIRCUITS
LEADING BY EXAMPLE - The EcoStar DC50 above, is the first car to be designed to attempt a Cannonball International event. When Team Speedace have completed the John o'Groats to Lands End (Jogle) run, they plan on attempting more of the Cannonball runs - simply to prove that electric cars can be made that self-serve. Self service is the prelude to EuroStations. EuroStations are the beginning of Smart Cities - and Smart Cities will join to become a sustainable transportation network - to keep mankind mobile. Join hands with us and help to build a better world.
ECOSTAR DC50 LINKS A-Z INDEX
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This
website is Copyright © 2014 Bluebird Marine Systems Limited.
The names Bluebird,
Cannonball ZEV Runs™, Cannonball International™, Ecostar DC50™,
EuroStation™
and the blue
bird in
flight
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