Congratulations pour in for Uckfield motorcycle designer

Messages of congratulation have poured in for Uckfield motorcycle designer Phil Edwards since his electric dragster set a new UK record at Santa Pod last week.

The motorcycle built by Phil and his company Weald EVT knocked nearly a second off the previous record in the standing start quarter-mile run in the Alternative Energy Racing event. The record now stands at 14.1245 seconds.

Wealden MP and energy minister Charles Hendry, who visited Phil as he was preparing the bike for the event, said: “I am delighted Phil has set a new UK speed record with his electric motorcycle. This shows the great potential of electric vehicles, not just in reducing carbon emissions but in terms of performance as well.”

Uckfield Mayor Cllr John Carvey said: "I would like to offer my congratulations to Phil Edwards on his achievement.

“To design a bike that goes really well is something but to break a speed record in addition is fantastic.

Uckfield will be proud

“Uckfield will be very proud of this and rightly so. Many who had not heard of Uckfield will do so now.

“There are huge benefits to the world in developing electric power machines and Phil’s contribution has to be right up with the leaders. Well done Phil."

President of Uckfield Chamber of Commerce, Peter Gale, a partner at Swindells accountants and tax specialists, said: “I was very pleased to hear that Phil set a new UK record with his electric dragster at Santa Pod.

“He gave a talk at a Chamber meeting earlier this year about the bike so we were all rooting for him. Well done Phil and good luck with your new projects.”

Uckfield town councillor Jim Molesworth-Edwards, who used to ride trials bikes in the 1950s and 60s added his congratulations.

Great achievement

“Phil’s is a great achievement. What he has done is absolutely fantastic.”

Jim remembers fumes from two stroke bikes choking riders when they queued to tackle different sections at trials events.

“I used to ride a four stroke bike and that wasn’t too bad but the two strokes were terrible. Some of us used to put our feet over the exhaust of the bike in front to stop the fumes going in our faces.”

Jim said fumes would be a thing of the past with electric bikes and he was watching with interest to see if an electric trials bike could be developed in the future.

Steve Labib, of Jozztek, at Peacehaven, who helped put into production the first electric super bike and is heavily involved supporting teams competing in TTXGP the world’s first zero carbon, clean emission grand prix, has helped Phil with advice, equipment and materials during the course of the dragster project.

Good ideas

He said: “When Phil came in he was such a nice guy with so many good ideas that I was happy to support him through the project. I’m very glad he has done well and hope he goes on to do even better.”

The Weald EVT test rider Rob Moon, who will be riding in an eGrandPrix at Silverstone – the first of six rounds in the TTXGP European Championship - over the weekend of June 18 and 19, said: “I am delighted that all the hard work put in by Phil has paid off. It was a great feeling to break the record and I am looking forward to working with Phil on new projects.”

Phil said he was grateful for all the messages of support: “Thanks to everyone who has been in touch whether on the phone, by email or on Twitter. We really appreciate the goodwill and look forward to keeping in touch with everybody as we make progress on our next projects.

“We’re showing the bike at a number of events over the summer if people wish to see it. Firstly we’re helping Tunbridge Wells Motor Club celebrate their centenary year at Groombridge Place on June 19, then we’ll be at Haslemere Motorcycles, in Hampshire with TT rider Guy Martin on June 22.”