Jon Edwards, an engineer and inventor of the Biofil waste oil-powered EV charger, plans to enter his Target West-winning Tesla Model 3 in the upcoming 5,700km Perth to Sydney marathon, a driving event that honours the famed 1968 London to Sydney marathon that will run from October 26 to November 6, 2022.
The car will be driven as usual by Jurgen and Helen Lunsmann, whose successes at Targa West have been well documented here at The Driven.
“Chip fat, eh? So Australia will have Mad Max powered by Big Macs,” one clever reader quipped.
The marathon organisers are apparently very keen to have the Model 3 in the event. But Edwards states that the charging logistics are massive and he’s working his way through how this can be achieved, setting himself the carbon-neutral charging bar using Biofil.
It will be quite the feat for a production electric vehicle to compete in and complete a 5,700km rally comprising 50% gravel roads, over 10 days across Australia, charged only with carbon-neutral power.
Green Theme, as the car is known, at this stage will be the only EV among a field of 80 fossil-fueled cars and plans to finish with a respectable place. “The challenge is close to impossible – that’s why we like it !” Says Edwards.
The Perth to Sydney Marathon is a reenactment of part of the 1968 London to Sydney marathon organised to lift the spirits of the British people at a time of economic crisis. The drive can be one of the most challenging in the world, crossing some of the hottest deserts on earth subject to extreme weather conditions and road closures.
Edwards says the team is on the lookout for a recognised name sponsor, which he says for the right organisation would be a great opportunity to associate with sustainability, challenge, grit and success, with the car sure to gain a great deal of media attention with high visibility advertising and enthusiastic public following though the towns it will pass.
The Tesla Owners Club (TOCA) is planning an assembly of honour lining both sides of the street for the arrival into Sydney.
In preparation for entry into the race, Green Theme is being reclad with a newly designed wrap for 2022. Keep a lookout at the Targa Albany Sprints on the 6th and 7th March.
Support vehicles will include a small truck carrying 2 custom built tanks and enough waste fryer oil to power the mobile chargers so that Green Theme will be able to complete the 5,700km rally.
Some people may be asking why? To prove that EVs can handle long trips on difficult roads that “massive world firsts” can be achieved down under, says Edwards.
Why do you climb a mountain? I am sure that there will be some humorous jests. But Green Theme and Lunsmann are likely to wipe the smirks from the doubters’ faces as they have done repeatedly at Targa.
David Waterworth is a researcher and writer, a retired school teacher who continues to provoke thought through his writing. He divides his time between looking after his grandchildren and trying to make sure they have a planet to live on. He is long on Tesla.