Daredevil Phil hopes to smash world record for fastest electric motorbike
Kind-hearted Phil Edwards hopes to speed into the record books with the world’s fastest electric motorbike – and raise money for assistance dog charity Canine Partners in the process.
Phil, from Uckfield, East Sussex, hopes the bike will break the current world record of 6.94 seconds by travelling a quarter of a mile at 200mph in six seconds with 1,000 horsepower and zero emissions from a standing-start. He plans to see the bike make its debut on a race track in early 2016.
Phil already holds the title of the UK’s fastest electric motorcycle having designed and built it in 2011. He has since spent the last three years planning and fundraising to build a new bike to take on the American constructors and bring the world record to the UK.
Generous Phil will donate six per cent of all Supporter Club subscriptions and 10 per cent of all merchandise sales to national charity Canine Partners after hearing about the good work they do.
Phil, project director for the ‘Fast Charge’ project which is the UK leader in low-carbon automotive technology and world-beating motorsport, said: “Exciting projects like ‘Fast Charge’ attract lots of attention and I was aware that we could use our high profile to raise awareness for the Charity.
“I’ve been looking for some time to find a deserving cause and, as a dog lover myself, was intrigued when I first heard about Canine Partners. When I met them and saw the amazing work they do to train and support assistance dogs I was really impressed and knew we’d found our own partner!”
Canine Partners, which is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, trains dogs to perform tasks such as opening and closing doors, undressing, pressing buttons, retrieving items, unloading washing machines, taking card and cash from ATMs and other everyday tasks that disabled people find difficult, painful or impossible to do for themselves.
Kay Gilmore, South East Regional Fundraiser for Canine Partners, said: “What Phil is aiming to achieve is phenomenal and we are grateful to him for allowing us to be a part of his journey.
“We are delighted a percentage of subscriptions and merchandise sales will be coming to Canine Partners and will enable us to transform even more people’s lives through our amazing assistance dogs.
“Canine Partners doesn’t receive any government funding and relies solely on donations and legacies so it really will make a difference.”
The motorbike which broke the UK record for the fastest electric motorcycle spent 2014 at The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu as part of their special exhibition ‘Record Breakers – for Britain and the hell of it….’
To join the ‘Fast Charge’ project Supporters Club or for merchandise enquiries visit www.fast-charge.org. To find out more about Canine Partners visit caninepartners.org.uk or call 08456 580480.