According to Jon Edwards and David Waterworth
The crew behind the success of the Tesla Model 3 Targa West hopes to take part in the reenactment of Australia’s legendary Perth-to-Sydney marathon in October of this year. When I spoke with Jon Edwards, he provided the following update:
The Jurgen and Helen Lunsmann race team from TOCEVA will take on the Perth to Sydney marathon, assisted by a charge crew squad of three drivers and three navigators who will man the three mobile charging assets. The charge crew will overtake the charges before the rally, frequently camped out to be in the ideal spot when the rally passes. Each charging team will have a predetermined path to take and a satellite phone to use for contact in outlying locations. Over the course of the 10 days, 6 public EV assemblies are scheduled to support the entry. Waiting in Western Australia, Port Augusta, South Australia, Jerilderie, Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Cooma, and Warwick Farm, New South Wales, for the completion.
I’ll be driving a brand-new Tesla Model Y and managing the charging crew and rally operations. Ed Hayes, a Sydney-based professional drone operator, will be traveling with me to document the entire event. For quick uploading and live streaming, we will offer Sky Link internet connection. We have a lot of mouths to feed and bedrooms to find with 11 people on the team, but it will be an incredible journey.
The Tesla Model 3 Performance’s suspension has been increased and adjusted for use in gravel rallies. The TOCEVA team has received 8 Geolander tires from Yokohama, which are ideal for bitumen and gravel. We’ve finished testing the battery usage on gravel roads, and we now know quite well what the charging requirements will be.
We are presently seeking sponsors, and the car’s wrap will soon be updated. With two more races remaining in the Targa Cup series on September 10 and September 11, respectively, at Langley Park in the city of Perth, the Tesla is in strong shape to take home the victory. We are fierce competitors in both circuits and hope to win the trophy.
Regarding the Sydney Marathon’s charging apparatus, the AC chargers have been delivered, and Charge Truck 1 is now finished and thoroughly tested. An 80 kW electric vehicle charger is powered by a 100 KVA Biofil generator. Two specially made 900 liter tanks are installed. Having enough frying oil will allow us to drive the Tesla from Perth to Sydney and back again.
Charge Truck 2 is finished and undergoing testing right now. It has a 75 kWh battery pack, an 80 kW electric vehicle charger, and an awning to block the sun and rain. While traveling to the next charging station, it can refuel from a 50 KVA Biofil. The second Tesla Model 3 battery has arrived, and it has been decided to trailer attach it as a backup battery in case we experience charging issues while at the rally. The 120 kW AC charger was shipped and converted into a Biofil charging station, which is now operational in the Perth workplace as a ground station. Public rapid charging that is carbon neutral is available here.
On August 20, there will be an open day at U12 103 Garling Street, OConnor, Western Australia, when the vehicle and charging infrastructure may be shown and queries can be addressed.
Watch this space for the next thrilling chapter. It is anticipated that the mainstream media would show interest, increasing public awareness of electric vehicles.
Photo in focus: a Tesla Model 3 getting ready for a marathon. With permission from CMR Photographic.
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