RE: DiCaprio's Formula E team
Discussion
Stillnotverytechnomatt said:
The sooner people realise there will be no significant advances in battery development (Li-ion) in the next 10+ years, the more the EV debate will move on from the usual raft of dreaming ideologists to a much more pragmatic viewpoint.
'lithium-air batteries will double EV range within four to five years'Technomatt said:
The EV is already severely limited by the battery. This isn’t going to change in the near term and investment (ie sponsorship) in a bit of racing isn’t going to alter that.
The sooner people realise there will be no significant advances in battery development (Li-ion) in the next 10+ years, the more the EV debate will move on from the usual raft of dreaming ideologists to a much more pragmatic viewpoint.
So we are investing for the medium and long-term then. What is the problem with that? There are much smarter people than you & I who have enough faith in it to invest significantly. The sooner people realise there will be no significant advances in battery development (Li-ion) in the next 10+ years, the more the EV debate will move on from the usual raft of dreaming ideologists to a much more pragmatic viewpoint.
Stick your head in the sand under the guise of pragmatism all you like, this does not just hinge on Li-ion. It is also about all the supporting technology, delivery mechanisms etc.
Petrol cars? There's no future in it. I can't see any point putting any money in to them and they'll never become popular except with fadists. Nothing will ever take the place of the horse and anyone who expresses any interest in these so called 'horseless carriages' is feeble of mind and should be harangued at literally every opportunity.
TheInternet said:
Stillnotverytechnomatt said:
The sooner people realise there will be no significant advances in battery development (Li-ion) in the next 10+ years, the more the EV debate will move on from the usual raft of dreaming ideologists to a much more pragmatic viewpoint.
'lithium-air batteries will double EV range within four to five years'Remember, dreaming ideologists also like to ignore effective commercialisation.
Would have been better to stick Patrick Dempsey in there, at least the guy can peddle and is infinately more likeable that DiCaprisun!
Its worth taking 10 minutes of a lunch break to read about the Formula E format, i think it has potential:
Its worth taking 10 minutes of a lunch break to read about the Formula E format, i think it has potential:
Formula E said:
Event Format
The 2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship, the world's first fully-electric racing series, will be contested over 10 rounds taking place on street circuits around the globe. All rounds will be one-day events with practice, qualifying and the race taking place in a single day in order to reduce costs and minimise disruption to the host city.
Practice
All events will open with a one-hour practice session giving drivers their first experience of the circuit. They will have up to two cars available to them giving them the option to change cars should they wish. Full power (200kw / 270bhp) will be available throughout.
Qualifying
The qualifying session is a straight fight for the fastest laptime and determines the order for the day's race. Drivers will only be able to use one car and have a maximum of four laps - two timed laps plus and out and an in lap - in order to set their fastest time. Cars will take to the track in stages in order to avoid congestion with the running order being chosen by the driver who sets the quickest time in practice. Full power (200kw / 270bhp) will be available throughout.
Race
Races will begin by standing start and last for approximately one hour with drivers making two mandatory pit stops in order to change cars. Engines will be restricted to power saving mode (133kw / 180bhp) but can be temporarily increased to maximum power (200kw / 270bhp) by using the 'Push-to-Pass' boost system.
Championship
The FIA Formula E Championship will consist of both a drivers and a teams' championship. A driver's end of season total is made up of his/her best results less two. A team's total is made up of all its results from the season.
Pit stops/Car changes
During races, drivers must make two mandatory pit stops in order to change cars. This must take place in their box and be observed by an FIA steward to ensure all safety equipment is correctly applied. Tyre changes, unless a puncture, are not permitted during this pit stop.
Push-to-Pass
During races only, drivers will be able to use a pre-determined number of power boosts to aid overtaking. This will increase the car's power output from 133kw (180bhp) to 200Kw (270bhp) for a limited period of time.
The 2014/2015 FIA Formula E Championship, the world's first fully-electric racing series, will be contested over 10 rounds taking place on street circuits around the globe. All rounds will be one-day events with practice, qualifying and the race taking place in a single day in order to reduce costs and minimise disruption to the host city.
Practice
All events will open with a one-hour practice session giving drivers their first experience of the circuit. They will have up to two cars available to them giving them the option to change cars should they wish. Full power (200kw / 270bhp) will be available throughout.
Qualifying
The qualifying session is a straight fight for the fastest laptime and determines the order for the day's race. Drivers will only be able to use one car and have a maximum of four laps - two timed laps plus and out and an in lap - in order to set their fastest time. Cars will take to the track in stages in order to avoid congestion with the running order being chosen by the driver who sets the quickest time in practice. Full power (200kw / 270bhp) will be available throughout.
Race
Races will begin by standing start and last for approximately one hour with drivers making two mandatory pit stops in order to change cars. Engines will be restricted to power saving mode (133kw / 180bhp) but can be temporarily increased to maximum power (200kw / 270bhp) by using the 'Push-to-Pass' boost system.
Championship
The FIA Formula E Championship will consist of both a drivers and a teams' championship. A driver's end of season total is made up of his/her best results less two. A team's total is made up of all its results from the season.
Pit stops/Car changes
During races, drivers must make two mandatory pit stops in order to change cars. This must take place in their box and be observed by an FIA steward to ensure all safety equipment is correctly applied. Tyre changes, unless a puncture, are not permitted during this pit stop.
Push-to-Pass
During races only, drivers will be able to use a pre-determined number of power boosts to aid overtaking. This will increase the car's power output from 133kw (180bhp) to 200Kw (270bhp) for a limited period of time.
Paul Newman was in a different league - a real PistonHead. He was an enthusiastic and successful participant as an owner/driver in the US sports car scene. Mr DiCaprio, on the other hand, is an investor who wants to appear concerned about saving the planet by helping to bankroll an electric racing car - not that it is likely to achieve anything of the sort.
SuperVM said:
Perhaps I should look at the regulations before asking the following, but I'm going to ask anyway.
Are the tyres made from recycled nappies?
Is the bodywork constructed from old cardboard?
Are the electronics taken from my children's unwanted toys (anything they've had more than two hours)?
Do the cars and teams move to each circuit by being carried on the backs of hordes of fairies?
YesAre the tyres made from recycled nappies?
Is the bodywork constructed from old cardboard?
Are the electronics taken from my children's unwanted toys (anything they've had more than two hours)?
Do the cars and teams move to each circuit by being carried on the backs of hordes of fairies?
Yes
Yes
No
Oh, sorry, thought you were talking about Marussia F1 there.
Celebrity endorsement of anything is automatically nauseating, but I think anything that improves electric vehicle technology to the point where it is actually usable for more than a tiny minority of people, is a good thing. Racing has been a tremendous driver of technology in the internal combustion world, and there is no reason it shouldn't do the same for electric vehicles.
Formula E said:
Event Format
During races only, drivers will be able to use a pre-determined number of power boosts to aid overtaking. This will increase the car's power output from 133kw (180bhp) to 200Kw (270bhp) for a limited period of time.
During races only, drivers will be able to use a pre-determined number of power boosts to aid overtaking. This will increase the car's power output from 133kw (180bhp) to 200Kw (270bhp) for a limited period of time.
The problem with EV's is not only the limiting factor of the current tech (which will improve) but also the lack of charisma with them too. When you translate this to Motor Racing, a sport that thrives on excitement and noise, i think it will struggle for TV viewing figures.
Regards,
MyCC.
Regards,
MyCC.
Technomatt said:
You obviously didn't read the full article.......
Remember, dreaming ideologists also like to ignore effective commercialisation.
We would still be living in caves if everyone thought like you!Remember, dreaming ideologists also like to ignore effective commercialisation.
Engineer: I've invented this square thing out of sticky mud. I will call it a brick
Technomatt: There is a perfectly good cave over there. Your brainwashed ideology about building where we want and raising our living standards is not pragmatic.
dc2rr07 said:
So that would be the same as Formula 1 KERS, sorry but apart from the development which I am sure could be done elsewere I cannot honestly see the point of this championship.
Not really no, kers is lost (well converted) energy recovered over a lap and reintroduced into the powertrain and can be used all you like for 3 seconds a lap. This is a limited number of boost presses per driver over a race.MyCC said:
The problem with EV's is not only the limiting factor of the current tech (which will improve) but also the lack of charisma with them too. When you translate this to Motor Racing, a sport that thrives on excitement and noise, i think it will struggle for TV viewing figures.
Regards,
MyCC.
I think we need to reserve judgement on noise and excitement until we see a few on track, but the format they are running certainly seems to give it the potential to deliver some excitement..Regards,
MyCC.
Engineer1 said:
chrisw666 said:
Technomatt said:
Have you ever pondered about only embracing technology that is efficient, flexible, empowers lifestyles and is cost effective? EVs fail on all counts.
You know when stuff is first created but isn't very good? That's EVs, the only way they'll get better is if people use them. Were the first internal combustion cars anything like what we have today? "The renowned Prius apologist - almost as famous for his environmental activism as his acting -"
if it wasn't for his acting no-one would a fig for his view on the environment, not that I give a fig what he thinks anyway.
Noise is part of the enjoyment but I would rather have quiet cars dicing on a track driven by people and going fast that no cars on any track.
We have to face the fact we as pistonheads are a minority, I for one, am looking forward to becoming a grumpy old man driving a petrol powered sports car much to the disgust of my kids, (possible) grandkids and the general public at large.
I worry about the future of grassroot motorsport, 1.6 FI hot hatches fit in the same class as Scoobies and Evos, we need more cars like the GT86 to be the track day, sprint, rally and autosolo fodder in 10 years time.
Still i will give Formula E a go and see what I think.
if it wasn't for his acting no-one would a fig for his view on the environment, not that I give a fig what he thinks anyway.
Noise is part of the enjoyment but I would rather have quiet cars dicing on a track driven by people and going fast that no cars on any track.
We have to face the fact we as pistonheads are a minority, I for one, am looking forward to becoming a grumpy old man driving a petrol powered sports car much to the disgust of my kids, (possible) grandkids and the general public at large.
I worry about the future of grassroot motorsport, 1.6 FI hot hatches fit in the same class as Scoobies and Evos, we need more cars like the GT86 to be the track day, sprint, rally and autosolo fodder in 10 years time.
Still i will give Formula E a go and see what I think.
SteveSteveson said:
Amusing how so called "Real" racing fans are so worried about the noise cars make, both in this and F1...
Don't you think the noise is part of the experience? The sound of an F1 car on full chat is a massive part of the experience.
EV engineering is bland and uninteresting. Everything that makes it great for domestic day to day driving, makes it uninteresting in a race. Race cars should be living, fire breathing, smelly, oily machines....not washing machines.
My son (15) is very much into F1 (way more than I am) and he's genuinely horrified that racing may one day be silent.
For f
ks sake people it wont be "silent" have you given any consideration to how this actually works? Yes it wouldnt be a fire breathing monster (when was the last time an F1 car was though?) but it will still be noisy, people are comparing a Prius edging along at 3 MPH to a Formula E car doing far greater speeds on a drive train spinning at much higher RPM not to mention power output...
ks sake people it wont be "silent" have you given any consideration to how this actually works? Yes it wouldnt be a fire breathing monster (when was the last time an F1 car was though?) but it will still be noisy, people are comparing a Prius edging along at 3 MPH to a Formula E car doing far greater speeds on a drive train spinning at much higher RPM not to mention power output...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff