Victory Racing finishes second at the TT Zero race on the Isle of Man

By Albert Khoury Published June 11, 2016

Victory Racing’s RR electric racing motorcycle took second place at the 2016 SES TT Zero race on the Isle of Man, marking the team’s second consecutive podium finish. According to a press release, racer William Dunlop’s 115.844 mph lap put him just behind team Mugen, whose rider Bruce Anstey took first place at 118.416 mph.

Victory Racing Wiliam Dunlop — Image used with permission by copyright holder

“I’m really happy with the result today. I could really feel the difference in the Victory RR this year — it’s a massive step forward,” said Dunlop at the conclusion of the race. “The bike has a really, really good motor, and massive respect to the Victory Racing boys for putting such a good bike together.”

Recommended Videos

At last year’s race, Victory’s Lee Johnston placed third at 111.620 mph, so this year’s performance saw significant progress.

Victory RR Motorcycle — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Victory RR race bike also logged the fastest top speed in its class at 159.8 mph through the Sulby Speed trap and across the Grandstand at 143.11 mph. The fastest ICE racers pass through Sulby between 190 and 200 mph, so it’s only a matter of time before electricity catches up.

Both the Victory RR and Empulse RR are being used to test out ideas for Victory’s future machines. The Empulse will be raced at Pikes Peak later this month.

Victory Racing RR Victory’s electric racers are powered by the GVM (Global Vehicle Motor) electric motor from Parker, and one representative from the company conveyed its excitement. “I am proud to be associated with this professional group of people. They work so hard and the results are well-deserved. Parker is happy that our GVM motors help power these fantastic machines around the course,” said Kevin Holloway, Parker’s U.S.-based strategic account manager. “To hear William [Dunlop] say the bike has a really, really good motor is music to my ears. We are looking forward to moving up one more step next year!”

The annual TT Zero inaugural race began in 2010 for motorcycles that don’t use carbon-based fuels and have zero toxic/noxious emissions.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Al started his career at a downtown Manhattan publisher, and has since worked with digital and print publications. He's…

Cars

Waymo lays groundwork for robotaxi revolution

A Waymo car production line.

In recent years, Waymo has been edging toward its long-held goal of revolutionizing urban transportation by deploying a fully autonomous, scalable, and sustainable ride-hailing service.

The Alphabet-owned company has just taken another step in that direction with the opening of a new vehicle factory in Metro Phoenix, Arizona, in partnership with automaker Magna.

Cars

Ram resurrects 1500 Express trim as an affordable option

ram 1500 express return affordable 2026

Ram is revving up excitement with the return of an old favorite—the 2026 Ram 1500 Express. Reintroduced as a more affordable option in the full-size truck lineup, the Express trim brings back a combination of rugged style, respectable performance, and most importantly, a price tag that won’t send buyers running for the hills.

Starting at $41,105 for the base Quad Cab configuration (and just under $45,000 for the Crew Cab), the new Express offers a budget-friendly alternative in a market where full-size trucks can easily cross the $60,000 mark.

Cars

Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?

jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii 4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.