The Forze Hydrogen Racing Team has revamped its hydrogen-electric Prototype racecar, with which it will contest the 2024 Dutch Supercar Challenge against conventional petrol cars.
The team, which originates from the Technical University of Delft, started out by developing a hydrogen-powered kart in 2008, and built its first full-size hydrogen racing car in 2013. It now has its ninth racecar evolution and this will be its third season at the Dutch Supercar Challenge (in which it was the first-ever competitor with a hydrogen-powered car).
For the 2024 season, the LMP2 chassis-based Forze IX has two hydrogen fuel cells, four electric motors and an 8.4 kg capacity hydrogen tank with the gas compressed to 700 bar. The upshot is over 800 bhp peak power.
The addition of a second fuel cell and an additional supercapacitor energy storage system, providing an extra 600 kW power boost over last year’s car, will see the Forza IX go faster with a longer range.
Forze IX was tested with its new supercapacitor system towards the end of last year at Circuit Zandvoort and the team is currently integrating the hydrogen system, which has been developed in parallel.
Interestingly, Cruden is helping the team to develop energy management strategies with the supply of its Panthera Simulator Software.
Cruden’s Dennis Marcus said: “Forze was using a basic simulator package that was only beneficial for track learning. Since driver-in-the-loop simulation is key to developing and tuning race cars, Forze decided to implement Panthera Simulator Software, via which they are now running the Forze vehicle dynamics and powertrain models on their simulator.
“Of the multiple elements of the Forze IX race car that have a computer model, some of them require testing with a driver-in-the-loop. The Forze team is able to develop energy management strategies in the simulator and train their drivers accordingly. They can practice, simulate and learn how to manage the fuel cell, when to utilise the full power from the battery and when to regenerate, and how to make braking choices in the race – in much the same way as our customers in Formula E, although the Forze team has more freedom due