Zytek Hybrid System Wins Global Innovation Honor

Braslton, November 7, 2009: The KERS-Zytek Automotive powertrain used in both the American Le Mans Series and Formula One was named the Powertrain Innovation of the Year at the Professional Motorsport World Expo in Cologne, Germany. Corsa Motorsports - based in Sandy, Utah - developed and deployed the powertrain system for the first time in the 2009 American Le Mans Series in conjunction with the Ginetta-Zytek group. The LMP1 prototype race car finished third overall in only its second race at Lime Rock Park in July and fourth in the season finale in Monterey, Calif., at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The motor and power electronics were cited for addressing substantial challenges that included designing subsystems that are exceptionally light and can be integrated into a system that does not affect the aerodynamics or handling of the car while withstanding the harsh thermal and mechanical environment of two of the world's most demanding race series.

Turning the concept of kinetic energy recovery into a race-winning reality was a major breakthrough and Zytek made a vital contribution to this achievement, observed Awards judge and freelance motorsport technology writer Charles Armstrong-Wilson.

Johnny Mowlem and Stefan Johansson piloted the Ginetta-Zytek 09HS in 2009.

John Manchester, Zytek Operations director commented, “It is a great honour for Zytek to receive this award. Motorsport is one of the best environments in the world to showcase and develop technology and this type of focus can help to educate people about Hybrid systems and ultimately lead to the transfer of technology onto to our ever day road vehicles.”

Zytek is a world leader in hybrid, chassis and engine development, and is responsible for the three most successful and recognizable hybrids in the history of motorsport, the Panoz Q9 GT1, the McLaren MP4-24 KERS and the GZ09HS LMP1.

Zytek will be making a presentation on its unique hybrid technology at the World Motorsport Symposium on the 19th of November.