MUGEN

June 13th, 2012

ISLE OF MAN TT RACE TT Zero Challenge
TEAM MUGEN finished in second place in spite of the first challenge !

2012 ISLE OF MAN TT RACE FUELLED BY MONSTER ENERGY
SES TT Zero Race
Course: 60.72km x 1lap
1st Qualifying: 2012-06-02 Sat / Called off due to rain
2nd Qualifying: 2012-06-04 Mon / Fine
Race: 2012-06-06 Wed / Fine

TEAM MUGEN welcomed John McGuinness as their rider to tackle the 2012 The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race held on the Isle of the Man with the newly developed bespoke EV bike, "(SHINDEN)" and finished in second place in spite of the very first entry and also achieved their goal, driving with a pace of average over 100mph.

2012-06-02 Sat
♦1st Qualifying - Called off due to rain
Rainy cloud was covering the sky from the morning. It could rain at any moment. After inspection just about one hour before the 1st qualifying, eventually it started to rain and the 1st qualifying was called off. Since TT race is run on public roads, riders can run on the race course only in qualifyings, meaning twice. To MUGEN, the first time entrant, this call-off could be a big disadvantage.

2012-06-04 Mon
♦2nd Qualifying - 2nd place (Lap Time: 23’ 20" 97/ Average Speed: 96.953mph)
Contrary to weather in the 1st qualifying, it was fine and the temperature was 19°C. Since MUGEN would not go further to the final race without completion of the 2nd qualifying, all the MUGEN members were so pressured. With huge amount of audiences watching, the 2nd qualifying started at 4:10pm. John McGuinness completed the course and finished in 2nd place.

2012-06-06 Wed
♦Race - 2nd place (Lap Time: 22’ 08" 85 / Average Speed: 102.215mph)
At 3:40pm the race started. Though TEAM MUGEN had no choice but to determine the final setting only through the 2nd qualifying due to call-off of the 1st qualifying, the team and the driver came together and got a faster result by over one minute than that of the 2nd qualifying. In the end TEAM MUGEN finished in second place in spite of the very first entry.

♦Comments from the driver, John McGuinness
I could maintain stable handling due to the MUGEN EV bike. Nothing to complain about tires or brakes, they were just all perfect. I am also glad to be able to finish up the battery and get a great result for TEAM MUGEN. Thank everybody very much for your kind support.

♦Comments from the project leader, Akihiro Miyata
Though we faced a difficulty in which we only had one chance to ride in the course due to call-off of the 1st qualifying, I believe we did our very best under such a condition. Especially battery management, we were forced to make a difficult decision, however, owing to experience of John McGuinness, we could use up the battery as we planned. Without help of sponsors, makers, and other organizations or people involved with this race, we could not finish in 2nd place. I thank you very much for your support and cheering.

♦Comments from the principal, Satoshi Katsumata
I am very proud that TEAM MUGEN completed the race in 2nd place and recorded over 100mph on average in the race in spite of the very first entry. Here I want to thank you personally and to extend my appreciation to John McGuinness, all the sponsors, and those who supported us. We would like to get a better result at next race. We are also looking forward to your continuous support.