Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation (HERF) is a racing organization for hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles, announced on January 10, 2007. HERF was founded by Peter M. DeLorenzo, who also acts as the league's

president President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) *President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ful ...

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CEO A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especially ...

. Speaking to a gathering of leading auto industry executives from

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Ford Ford commonly refers to: * Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford * Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river Ford may also refer to: Ford Motor Company * Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company * Ford F ...

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, senior executives from Bridgestone-Firestone and

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, as well as such motor sports luminaries as

Tony George Anton Hulman "Tony" George (born December 30, 1959) is the former Chairman, President, and CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hulman & Company, serving from 1989 to 2009. He was also formerly on the Board of Directors of both entities. ...

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, DeLorenzo introduced "The Future of Racing" in a speech at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan, calling it the dawn of a new age for automotive propulsion. As DeLorenzo explained, "The time has come for the automobile industry to embrace the future vigorously – and in no uncertain terms. It is time for the automobile industry to take its advanced research away from the reassuring glare of the computer screen and out of the comfortably sterile environment of the research laboratory, and let innovation and technical creativity run free and unfettered on the racetrack – with the most advanced automotive technology in the world – hydrogen electric fuel cell-powered vehicles. We have formed the Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation for one very important reason – and it goes far beyond the fact that the management of the world's resources has become a global concern and priority – a priority that we of course share. The real heart of the matter is that I believe racing needs a new idea."

Hydrogen 500

The Hydrogen 500 is a new concept for racing that will introduce an entirely new category of racing machines to the world – machines powered by hydrogen electric fuel cells. The Hydrogen 500 is first and foremost a serious, 500-mile race – one that will challenge the designers and engineers of the world's automobile manufacturers on the following fronts: *How to creatively package advanced technical components in a compact, maximum-performance racing machine. *How to address issues of on-board hydrogen fuel storage and delivery – and all aspects of re-fueling. *How to manage the heat and energy generated by the electronic systems, with a crucial emphasis on overall durability. *How to achieve high average speeds, while balancing the pursuit of those speeds with the frequency necessary for refueling stops, as well as the durability required to go the entire 500-mile race distance. Plans called for two oval races in the U.S. in the first year, three races in the U.S. in year two, including two ovals and a natural-terrain road course venue, and five races in the following years, including two ovals and one road course in the U.S., an oval race in Japan and a road course event in Shanghai, China. Three races took place in 2010.

Specifications

The HERF racers will be closed-wheel machines with an on-track footprint similar in dimension to but not exceeding those currently used by sports car prototype racers. Key specifications include:The Auto Channel
'The Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation(TM) Announces Its Initial Specifications Package for "The Future of Racing"'' *Weight: 1984 lb (900 kg) minimum *Construction: Manufacturers' choice *Aerodynamic Devices: Allowed (although they cannot touch the track surface) *Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Controls: Manufacturers' choice *Power: 400 hp (300 kW) minimum *Battery Type: Manufacturers' choice *On-Board Hydrogen: 17.6 lb (8 kg) compressed gas at 10,000

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bar Bar or BAR may refer to: Food and drink * Bar (establishment), selling alcoholic beverages * Candy bar * Chocolate bar Science and technology * Bar (river morphology), a deposit of sediment * Bar (tropical cyclone), a layer of cloud * Bar (u ...

) *Tires: One size package for oval tracks, one size package for

road racing Road racing is a form of motorsport racing held on a paved road surface. The races can be held either on a closed circuit or on a street circuit utilizing temporarily closed public roads. Originally, road races were held almost entirely on publ ...

circuits *Fuel: One manufacturer, to specification (from renewable resources) *Projected Lap Speed (at the

): 185 mph+ (298 km/h+)

References

External links

Remarks by HERF President & CEO Peter M. DeLorenzo at the Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation Announcement Event
held at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan, January 10, 2007 *Press Release announcing HERF (January 10, 2007)

*Press Release announcing HERF specifications (February 7, 2007)

*

Autoline Detroit Autoline Detroit is a weekly television show A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisem ...

interview with Peter DeLorenzo during episode 1109
Racing to the Future
on the HERF. Auto racing organizations Formula racing Green racing

Hydrogen 500

Specifications

See also

References

External links