We are preparing in every way possible to achieve a win. We know there are far better vehicle entrants than ours, but we feel this race will be won on route strategy rather than the vehicle itself. But because this is our first ever attempt both individually and as a team, we will enjoy every moment of the race as if we have already won it.
Mohammad Tauseef Anwar, Team Captain: Software industry professional with keen interest in electric vehicles, industrial cameras and rapid fabrication technologies
Gopal Kumar Mohoto, Co-captain: Electrical engineer, researcher and logistics entrepreneur. For the past 15 years he has been involved in several research driven renewable energy projects.
Ad Ahmad, Team Member: Electrical engineer, and an e-commerce and ready-made garments entrepreneur. He has been involved in creating and managing large-scale industries for more than a decade now.
A fully electric 1995 Suzuki Jimny/Gypsy
Solar panel fitted
Powered by a 70kW motor with up to 20kW regenerative braking ability
Achieving top speed of 120km/h
Carrying a 80kWh Li-ion battery with up to 350km single charge range
Hungrynaki.com, an online food delivery service in Bangladesh
Bohu, a furniture design company
Dreamer’s & Doers, a marketing and PR agency
Cone Technologies, a software company
Tauseef, Gopal and Ahmed are mutual friends, having studied and worked with each other in different organisations and projects since their university days. Their common interest lies in automobiles, each strongly passionate about different aspects of this industry. With the growth of Tesla, Formula E and DIY culture, they felt they too can build electric vehicles for Bangladesh, and so they got to work in 2016.
“While we are thinking about building commercial products, we felt participating in international competitive motorsport events is the right step to begin our work with, and so we Tanguar Racing was created, with 80DR very specifically in our targets.”
“We have 2 important goals. First, spread the message of sustainable living and transportation, and Second, manufacture reliable electric vehicles for Bangladesh. By participating in 80 Day Race, we felt both these goals get a huge kickstart. A bonus reward is the ability to stand shoulder to shoulder with electric vehicle promoters from other countries, learn from their experiences and, through the overall experience, be able to inspire future generation of innovators in Bangladesh to build better environmentally conscious solutions.”
Race Vehicle
Their Race Vehicle is a fully electric 1995 Suzuki Jimny/Gypsy. The vehicle is carefully selected for this race because of its ample space to fit in a large quantity of batteries appropriate for long races like 80DR. And because it is in old car, it will be very easier to repair the mechanical parts and has negligible amount of sensitive electronics that will require replacing. “It is ideal for an amateur team such as ours.”
Winning
While they know other teams might be advantaged with better vehicles they feel this race will be won on route strategy rather than the vehicle itself. But because this is their first ever attempt both individually and as a team, they are planning to enjoy every moment of the race as if they have already won it.
Tanguar Racing is not a one shot affair. They hope to participate in the 1st and all the later editions of 80DR whenever they take place. Their mission is not just about themselves, but the message they spread year in year out. “This is where the fans come in.” says Tauseef. “We need you to support us, spread our message and get involved in this process. If there is one electric vehicle team to root for, that’s us.”