Xtrac

June 2008 -- Xtrac is pleased to report that the introduction of the pneumatic Assisted Gearchange System (AGS) to the Indy Racing League (IRL) is more than achieving all the targets set for this challenging programme. This is despite the need to supply additional parts and service support to the extra cars needed following the unification of IRL and Champcar. This has resulted in more teams switching to the IRL chassis where every car uses the Honda engine and Xtrac supplied gearbox.

Xtrac Steering Wheel and Remote Valve Block

June 2008 -- During 2007, the FIA agreed that kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) had relevance to Formula 1. Road car electrical systems were probably thought the obvious solution, however mechanical high speed flywheel systems are giving the teams some choice. Xtrac are key to the design, development and integration of the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), into a mechanical flywheel KERS, initially for F1 but also for Sportscar and ultimately for mainstream automotive use.

Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)

June 2008 -- Transmission technology specialist Xtrac says the flywheel kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) currently being developed for Formula One could be applied to road vehicles in a number of ways.

By providing an additional boost of power, the F1 technology is particularly relevant to the trend to fit cars with smaller engines in pursuit of better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 output. The technical challenge with engine downsizing is compensating for the loss of engine torque and driveability, which could be restored by applying flywheel technology. It is also possible that a mechanical KERS system could be used as a range extender in a battery electric hybrid vehicle or even to power vehicle auxiliaries.

14th April, 2008 -- Xtrac are pleased to announce they have received an award for their Student Placement Scheme from the National Council for Work Experience.

Xtrac accepts 4 students per year within the Engineering Department. These students are placed in Design Teams (2) / Production Engineering (1) and Gear Technology (1) departments. The recruitment process is demanding, with 150+ students applying for 4 positions.

The students are mentored throughout their time at Xtrac by Senior Designers and they work on real projects with real timescales - nearly all are employed by the company and return full time after graduation.

November 2007 -- A groundbreaking mechanical kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) currently under development for Formula 1 by three British companies - Flybrid, Torotrak and Xtrac - has been voted ‘Engine Innovation of the Year’ by a distinguished panel of motorsport experts. The honour for the technical achievement was presented at the Professional MotorSport World Expo Awards ceremony held this week in Cologne.

October 2007 -- Martin Halley, chief engineer with Xtrac and Jon Hilton, managing partner of Flybrid Systems, a new company taking a fresh look at hybrid vehicle technology, will describe the technical innovations behind their groundbreaking mechanical flywheel 'kinetic energy recovery system' (KERS) - which also incorporates advanced traction drive technology from Torotrak, at a forthcoming high-level motorsport industry conference.