Valtra tractors are praised for their cold-weather performance, but a model supplied by Ancroft Tractors is currently enjoying much warmer conditions in a Saudi Arabian desert.
The N155, plays an important role in the Extreme-E race where two dozen electric SUVs compete for the championship. Fitted with a number of winches, there is plenty of work for the Valtra tractor in the challenging terrain. This includes scooping up rocks and boulders, towing the generators used to recharge racing car batteries, and using the pallet tines to move ancillary vehicles.
The Extreme-E series was built around the ethos of racing electric vehicles in remote environments in an effort to raise awareness for climate change issues and showcase the performance and benefits of low carbon vehicles.
Organised for the first time last year, the championship cars are all based on a fully electric SUV named Odyssey 21. The peak output of 550hp (400kw) is capable of powering the 1.7t vehicles from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds at gradients of up to 130%.
The heavy duty 650/65 R38 and 540/65 R28 Maxam duals were supplied by Essex-based BWT (Brocks Wheel & Tyre).
This season’s race calendar kicked off on the UK’s south coast in Dorset just before Christmas. The remaining events will take place on the island of Sardinia, Italy (May), Chile in September and Uruguay in November. The location of another race in July has not yet been released, but the Finnish-made tractor will clearly be a seasoned traveller by the end of this year.
The N155, all freight, race infrastructure and vehicles, are all transported to the nearest port to each of the five race locations by the St. Helena, an ex-Royal Mail vessel.
More details:
https://www.extreme-e.com/en/events/desert-xprix
About Brocks Wheel & Tyre (BWT) – Brocks Wheel & Tyre
