A picture of Johnny Mowlem drives a Ginetta-Zytek for Corsa Motorsports. The gasoline-electric-hybrid LMP1-class prototype that will enter the American Le Mans Series at Miller Motorsports Park later in May turned a wheel for the first time on Tuesday.
Johnny Mowlem shook down the Corsa Motorsports team's Ginetta-Zytek GZ09S on the "school" circuit at Silverstone in England. The motor-generator system that eventually will give a 35- to 50-killowatt power boost--the equivalent of about 50 hp--was put through its paces during the short test.
"We tested the regeneration systems and charged the batteries," said Mowlem, who will race the Corsa Ginetta-Zytek with Stefan Johansson. "We then started in the pit lane with the conventional engine off and did a whole lap with just the electric motor."
Plans to use the electric motor in conjunction with the 4.5-liter Zytek V8 were abandoned because of an oil leak. The car is now being shipped to Corsa's shop in Utah.
The car will take part in its home event at the Miller track on May 17. The team will demonstrate the prototype's hybrid capabilities during the event, but has yet to commit to running the car in that form.
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