Fire In Jerez Paddock Destroys Entire MotoE Field

Evans Brasfield
by Evans Brasfield

Losing all 18 Energica Ego Corsa spec race bikes forces a change in the racing calendar

For those of us excited about the prospects of a grand prix level electric racing series in 2019, our hopes were given a severe blow this morning as the MotoE paddock in Jerez burnt to the ground, destroying the entire fleet of 18 Energica Ego Corsa spec race bikes. The motorcycles were gathered in Jerez for the second test of the series in anticipation of the first MotoE race at the venue in May. The only good news to come out of this event is that no one was hurt in the fire.

MotoGP Launches FIM Enel MotoE World Cup Electric Racing Championship

According to MotoGP.com, the fire, while a major setback, has not scuttled the series for 2019. Once all the parties involved in the creation and managing of the series have been consulted, a revised racing schedule will be released at a future date. However, it is confirmed that the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup will not race at the Circuito de Jerez on May 5th. With the second round of the series at Le Mans following so shortly after the canceled Jerez round on the 19th of May, it’s viability is also in doubt.

This fire is a major setback to the fledgling series. For the first season, the grid was to have 18 entries – two bikes for each of the seven private teams plus another four for Moto2 or Moto3 teams interested in competing. Being a relatively small company and the sole supplier of the MotoE race bikes, Energica will be hard-pressed to crank out the entire allotment of 18 motorcycles in short order.

The MotoE schedule was previously set to take place on the following rounds:

• Jerez – 5th May

• Le Mans – 19th May

• Sachsenring – 7th July

• Austria – 11th August

• Misano – 15th September (Two Race Event)

Begin Press Release:

MotoE™ will race in 2019; calendar to be revised

Further information released following fire at MotoE™ Test in Jerez.

Early on the 14th March, a fire in the newly-built E-paddock at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto destroyed the majority of material for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup. No one suffered any injury as a result and the damage was purely material. This is the key concern for all those involved as safety is the top priority on and off track.

As previously stated, an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, the results of which will be published as soon as it has concluded.

The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup is a competition born from innovation, powered by 100% renewable energy. This ambition to evolve and experiment with new technologies brings with it an associated risk. It can be confirmed, however, that no motorcycles were charging at the time of the incident in the box in which the fire started.

Dorna Sports and all of our partners in this new venture are committed to getting the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup back on track as soon as possible, with work already underway to begin rebuilding and replacing materials and motorcycles lost in the fire.

MotoE™ will race in 2019 and a revised calendar will be announced in due course. However, it can be confirmed that the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup will not race at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto as part of the Gran Premio Red Bull de España this season.

Evans Brasfield
Evans Brasfield

Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.

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  • Buzz Buzz on Mar 15, 2019

    Glad that all governments are ramming electrics down our throats for “the planet.”

    I suppose a lithium fire released a whole bunch of poison into the atmosphere, but it’s all in the name of “progress.”

  • Tough crowd here. Lots of money and equipment down the drain, and lots of hard-working race team members had their lives greatly disrupted.

    Even though the bikes are fat and slow, the loss is still a shame. Hopefully it is a wake-up call.

    • See 2 previous
    • Gruf Rude Gruf Rude on Mar 16, 2019

      Initial reports point to MotoE's charger and its high density battery shorting out and setting off the blaze. I guess I don't want their charger and its battery in my garage, then.

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