KERS device to be demonstrated

A flywheel Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) to be used in Formula 1 in 2009 will be demonstrated for the first time in public at next week’s Autosport International Show.

The Energy-recovery devices are legal from next season and Silverstone-based firm Flybrid will display its flywheel system at Birmingham’s NEC from January 8-11.

Visitors to the firm’s engineering stand during the show will be able to see a demonstration of some of the inner working of its full 2009-spec specification KERS unit.

While most teams have opted to develop a battery KERS system, Williams is one team that has decided to go down the flywheel route.

This system will use braking energy to turn a steel and carbon fiber flywheel and when extra power is needed the wheels will be coupled up to the spinning flywheel to give a boost in power.

The Flybrid demonstration will be one of a number of highlights at the Autosport Show, which traditionally kicks off the new motorsport year.

Formula 1 stars who have already confirmed their attendance include the recently retired David Coulthard, McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa, commentator Martin Brundle and ex-Super Aguri driver Anthony Davidson.

Coulthard will be attending the two public days of the show, January 10-11, and on display will be cars and karts from his motorsport career, while DC will also be signing autographs in the driver signing section.