FIA Formula E Championship

[Glaucus]

Don't you think a lot of that is down to how use we are to petrol cars and same for drivers. If a series existed from go karting up. Within 20years you would have drivers that have driven electric cars all their lives.

It would be very odd with no noise, but it's not what makes racing.

 

[mmj_uk]

I bet £10 Ferrari are the first to deploy EMP weapons at a race.

 

[Skeeter]

Don't you think a lot of that is down to how use we are to petrol cars and same for drivers. If a series existed from go karting up. Within 20years you would have drivers that have driven electric cars all their lives.

It would be very odd with no noise, but it's not what makes racing.

Yep, its quite possible drivers will adapt.

Personally however, the noise is why I go to F1 races and don't just watch them all on TV. And people turning up to races is what provides the funds for them to happen in the first place. Other people have other views, but it wont take that many people to stop going to races because the atmosphere of the noise and the speed are gone before circuits have to start worrying about their finances. I seriously doubt I am on my own in thinking noise is a major part of motorsport.

 

[Glaucus]

But with just support races, it gives people time to adapt. It's not replacing f1 it's not even in competition with f2. If it happens it's an f3 competitor.

People aren't going to stop going to races because of an electric support race and you may just like it. Especially for us who remember the golden days of development and feel that technology development is missing and that aero dynamics aren't being restricted enough. These cars due to low drag won't create anywhere near as much dirty air, just like other support races.

 

[Skeeter]

But then your back to my prevision argument about the financing of it. F3 teams are hardly major car manufacturers and loaded with disposable cash. Something like this needs big players on-board, especially major car makers. Without them there will not be the money for aggressive development, and without aggressive development, this series becomes nothing more than a 1 off technical exercise.

For this series to be a success it needs to be a major player with major exposure. Being a low level support series will not get it the promotion and exposure it would need to justify the massive investment of the developers and teams. The reason why F3/GP3/etc works at the moment is because its cheap.

Like I have said, I am not against the technology, I just think a brand new, hole hog, fully electric ground up developed Formula style series is the wrong place for it.

 

[Glaucus]

Well have to wait and see who's interested. But I wouldn't be surprised if manufactures or 3rd party companies get onboard. There are all jumping on the electric bandwagon and are going to need exposure to separate them from their comoetitors.
But you may have a point. But until rules are placed and there is some solid information, then it's almost impossible to gauge who's interested and what it would all be like.

 

[Skeeter]

Your right, it is all fluid at the moment so could change. But you just have to look at Formula 1 over the last few years. Major car makers have quit left right and centre because F1 was just 'marketing by association' and actually beared little to no relevance to their road car programs.

But you then look at road car based series and see them growing. GT3 will have about 10 different manufacturers in it next year. BMW have gone to DTM after leaving F1, with rumors that Nissan might follow. WRC has a new manufactuer this year (Mini) and another next year (VW). Porsche are pushing Hybrid GT endurance cars. If I wanted to push development of electric/hybrid/hydrogen/other alternative fuel technology I would be pushing it towards those people who are actually going to want to use this technology in their consumer product, and have the benefit of visible cross marketing. A brand new single seater Formula does not offer this.

But we shall wait and see.

 

[Glaucus]

It's very much wait and see.

Just found there's another company at it.
http://www.formulec.org/en/projet_presentation.html

the Vision
Motor racing has always been the laboratory for and showcase of the most innovative technologies.

Formulec intends to become the sporting development platform for car makers and energy industrialists who seek to increase the performance of electrical vehicles.

With its partners and under the technical management of its engineering specialist SEGULA Matra Technologies, the automotive branch of SEGULA Technologies, Formulec has imagined and designed this first high-performance, fully electric single-seater, the EF01.

Since its first test run on 15th September 2010, the EF01 has proved to be a top-performer with very high potential.

This single-seater combines speed and efficiency with respect for the environment and sustainable development. In so doing, it foreshadows motor racing of tomorrow.

From 2011, as openers on numerous circuits throughout the world, the EF01 will make a promotional tour, sometimes in duels with combustion single-seaters in dramatic challenges.

A Formulec world series, of 10 events per year exclusively for the EF01, will be launched the following year, in 2012, and continue in 2013. This will enable drivers to measure themselves at the wheel of the EF01 throughout the world.

Soon a world championship will be organized for industrialists and car makers who have developed an electric single-seater.

These single-seaters must conform to the rules which will be based on all the technical and sporting lessons learned from the Formulec monotype world series.



The EF01 represents the combination of the best electric single-seater technologies.

It brings together performance and efficiency with respect for the environment and sustainable development.

It equals the performance of its prestigious cousin, the Formula 3, and its combustion engine.

20-25mins run time depending on track
0-60 in 3 seconds
150mph top speed

 

[Glaucus]

And

http://www.epowergp.com/index.htm

EpowerGP is a revolutionary new international open Electric Formula racing series. The Electric Formula is developed in cooperation with car manufacturers and race car*constructors from North America, Asia and Europe.
*
The single seater prototype Formula cars will be purely powered by electricity. The electric energy is stored in batteries and/or capacitors supported by kinetic energy recovery systems. Competitors design and construct their competing cars to the Formula specified in the EpowerGP technical regulations.
*
The series offers car manufacturers, suppliers, multinational brands and governments an exciting platform for exposure and positive association with oil independent, low emission, electric cars. The goal is to stimulate essential innovative developments in efficient automotive technologies.
*
EpowerGP will host at least 20 races of 50 km at 10 events worldwide starting in 2012. The provisional calendar hosts races in the USA, Japan, Europe and China. The EpowerGP series will be broadcast live and worldwide.
*
Competing teams will mainly consist of car manufacturers, race car constructors and independent race teams running a maximum of 2 cars per team. More than 40 potential teams have expressed their serious interest in the series after analyzing its technical and sporting regulations.

The series offers car manufacturers, suppliers, multinational brands and governments an exciting platform for exposure and positive association with oil independent, clean, electric cars. The goal is to stimulate essential innovative developments in efficient automotive technologies.
*
EpowerGP is first and foremost an International Championship where car and battery manufacturers can compare and develop their technology and show their latest products. A platform for innovation and development of essential aspects such as the battery (energy storage), drive train, motors, capacitors, KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) and electrical components.
*
EpowerGP events will offer an opportunity for the public to get acquainted with electric cars and the products of the manufacturers involved, with information, demonstrations and test drives.

RACES
*
EpowerGP will host at least 20 races of 50 km at 10 events worldwide starting in 2012. The provisional calendar hosts races in the USA, Japan, Europe and China. The EpowerGP series will be broadcast live and worldwide.
*
EpowerGP events can be held as stand alone events as well as in conjunction with other race series. FIA approved Formula 3 to Formula 1 grade circuits are suitable.
*
Street Circuits
*
EpowerGP has a specific preference for inner city street circuits. Electric cars are particularly well suited for cities because of their smog, emission, fine dust and noise advantages. Electric race cars have the added bonus of a very high torque useful for acceleration out of the slow corners in city circuits.
*
City Marketing
*
More and more cities are focusing on electric vehicles as a solution to smog, fine dust, climate, energy and noise issues. EpowerGP offers a great platform for your city promotion and marketing while communicating your environmental and climate policies alike.
*
Qualification and Race Format
*
EpowerGP qualification will consist of 4 x 10 minute sessions on the Saturday with each car running a single flying lap per session. The best time of the first two sessions counts for Race 1, the best of the latter two counts for Race 2.
*
On Sunday, two races of 50 km each will be held, Race 1 and Race 2.

Seems I will have a lot to keep my eye on, even if no one else is interested. I hope some of these go ahead.

 

[Skeeter]

Keep an eye on these and let us know. However, i cant help thinking that 3 different formulas with different regulations competing against each other might actually damage there chances of sucess. Your effectively limiting yourself to 1/3 of potential investors. But you never know. Keep us updated AH2. We expect threads of the quality of the F1 ones

 

[Pants]

I hope the one with the least restrictions and most innovations is the one that gets popular and televised. (is that even a word?)

 

[Glaucus]

There was a step forward recently one I missed. FIA Call of interest for a 2013 series.

http://www.fia.com/en-GB/mediacentre/pressreleases/fiasport/2011/Pages/formula-e.aspx

30/09/2011*

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
AND SELECTION PROCESS
*
Update
*
On 29 July 2011, the FIA published a Press Release on its website pertaining to a “Call for Expressions of Interest” for the creation of a new high profile championship: the FIA Formula E Championship (“Championship”).
*
The FIA is now in a position to announce that its experts are currently finalising the Technical Terms and Conditions that will form the basis of a new Call for Expressions of Interest.
*
This Call for Expressions of Interest will be issued to identify and shortlist (at the latest in April 2012) those manufacturers that are in a position to commit to take part in the 2013 FIA Formula E Championship, either directly or/and via teams. Each manufacturer would be requested to produce a minimum number of cars so as to guarantee a minimum field, and a “balance of performance” system would be put in place in order to guarantee the sporting interest of the Championship.

 

[Skeeter]

Looks like its make or break time then...

Its a shame the 'current economic climate' means manufacturers may be sceptical of committing to this. I will be interested to see what happens.

I still think a 'formula' series is completely the wrong place for this technology, but I will happily be proved wrong if the FIA publish a big long list of interested manufacturers come April.

Keep us posted.

 

[Glaucus]

I think it's exactly where the technology should be used. Everyone is gearing up for electric cars. I hope it will also be like the golden age of f1, far less restrictions and anyone can win. All down to technology. In the next 5 years we will see a huge leapfoward in batteries as well.

 

[deuse]

Electric F1 won't happen in my life time thank god. I mean come on who want's to hear the sound of 14 electric milk carts?

The owners of the tracks know this that's why when the FIA said F1 will have 4 cylinder engines
they told bernie NO so now we have V6 engines.
People go for the awesome sound of the engines the smell or burning rubber and fuel.

But I tell you what Acid..the first race of next year turn the sound off on your tv and see what's it like.
Come to think of it...the commentators will be like they have on snooker..very very soft voice so they don't speak louder then the leci engines

 

[therealnerd2]

I'm not sure I really get this noise argument. Sure I'm not a decades-long F1 aficionado - but every time I've been to a race everyone's had their fingers in their ears and said they wished it was a bit quieter

 

[Glaucus]

Electric F1 won't happen in my life time thank god. I mean come on who want's to hear the sound of 14 electric milk carts?

It's not going to replace f1, they want it as a support race
I think you like a lot of people are going to be shocked at how fast electric catches on and devlopes.
There will become a point where electric can trounce petrol. It's just amateur of time and a support race is perfect to develop and test the technology.

 

[clv101]

I think you like a lot of people are going to be shocked at how fast electric catches on and devlopes.
There will become a point where electric can trounce petrol. It's just amateur of time and a support race is perfect to develop and test the technology.

Yeah, I think this is a great move and unlike Skeeter, think this is completely the right place for this technology. I'm am surprised at the 'Luddite' opinions of some fans though. Motorsport is all about technology, why stick to 19th C. internal combustion engines which are inefficient, polluting and run on a finite raw material when we could have all electric drive trains. A "golden age" of exciting new technology development - bring it on!

 

[Skeeter]

It's not going to replace f1, they want it as a support race

I think this is a flaw in their plan. People who go to F1 races consider the speed and the noise high up on their list of reasons to go. An electric Formula race is going to seem slow and quiet and boring when compared to the main event.

Personally, I think they should line it up alongside a headline event that is completely unrelated so the Formula E stands out in its own right. Maybe supporting Touring cars or GT racing? Having a road car style series around also shows a link to where the developed technology is heading.

clv101 - I am not against this technology at all, I just feel a Formula style series is completely the wrong place for it. For example, I think the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Hybrid and the upcoming 918 RSR Hybrid are 2 of the most important race cars of recent time.

 

[Glaucus]

. A "golden age" of exciting new technology development - bring it on!

exactly and becuase they underperformance ATM compared to f1 safety. It means the rules can be derestricted compared to f1. And it'll be like the late 80s early 90s where technology ruled and the unreliability will be back.