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Electric dragster sets quarter mile record |
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Written by Devin Durham
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Friday, 21 December 2007 |
 An all-electric dragster named Current Eliminator V, has set a National Hot Rod Association's Super Pro class quarter-mile world speed record. Coming in at 8.10 seconds, and a top speed of 153.6 mph, the car, driven by Dennis Berube, was powered by the same type of battery which accelerated the Killacycle to a whopping 168 mph in 7.824 seconds in a quarter mile just a month prior.
Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc., provided the high-performance lithium-titanate battery pack and energy storage products. Previous runs made at the Speedworld Motorplex in Wittmann (about 150 miles from Tucson) by Berube included runs of 10.04, 8.84, 8.40 and 8.23 seconds. In 2006, the Current Eliminator V's predecessor, the Current Eliminator IV, earned more prize money than any other dragster in Arizona.
In the Super Pro class, Berube routinely and successfully competed against both gasoline and alcohol fueld internal combustion engine dragsters. Berube is an accomplished driver, and also a founding competitor in the National Electric Drag Racing Association (NEDRA) with many awards, trophies and credits to his name.
So when are we going to see a Prius at the dragstrip? Or even better, a Tesla? I'll get really excited about this technology when it is something that is put into use on a daily driver, but in the meantime it is still interesting to read about.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 21 December 2007 )
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