Formula E - Am I The Only One Excited?
Discussion
TartanPaint said:
To most people, bicycles are white goods too.
And yet, 2.5 million people turned out to watch the Tour de France grande depart in Yorkshire. Why? Because they didn't have to go anywhere. The racing came to them.
If anything works in Formula-E's favour, it'll be the locations. Taking it to the fans who don't even know they're fans yet, but if it's on their doorstep, they'll sure pop their heads out to see what's going on. That's the real genius I think. The rest of it, batteries and quietness and all, could be seen as just a list of what's necessary to get race cars into city street circuits. I wouldn't be surprised if, rather than flop, these events became THE place for corporations to be doing their hospitality. Got a store near the circuit? Order the fizz and get your best clients in for finger-food and eco-action!
The potential is definitely there. Of course, that's no guarantee it'll catch on, but when you take the action to the people you've instantly got one hell of an advantage over any other formula.
That's basically how I see it and how the organisers do too.:And yet, 2.5 million people turned out to watch the Tour de France grande depart in Yorkshire. Why? Because they didn't have to go anywhere. The racing came to them.
If anything works in Formula-E's favour, it'll be the locations. Taking it to the fans who don't even know they're fans yet, but if it's on their doorstep, they'll sure pop their heads out to see what's going on. That's the real genius I think. The rest of it, batteries and quietness and all, could be seen as just a list of what's necessary to get race cars into city street circuits. I wouldn't be surprised if, rather than flop, these events became THE place for corporations to be doing their hospitality. Got a store near the circuit? Order the fizz and get your best clients in for finger-food and eco-action!
The potential is definitely there. Of course, that's no guarantee it'll catch on, but when you take the action to the people you've instantly got one hell of an advantage over any other formula.
Formula E's chief executive Alejandro Agag said:
"We are not necessarily looking for the motorsport fans here," he says. "We're looking for the younger generation. People who are looking for new things, and this is definitely new."
"We aren't going to be taking them from other forms of motorsport, because they aren't watching motorsport anyway."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28144411"We aren't going to be taking them from other forms of motorsport, because they aren't watching motorsport anyway."
TartanPaint said:
To most people, bicycles are white goods too.
And yet, 2.5 million people turned out to watch the Tour de France grande depart in Yorkshire. Why? Because they didn't have to go anywhere. The racing came to them.
If anything works in Formula-E's favour, it'll be the locations. Taking it to the fans who don't even know they're fans yet, but if it's on their doorstep, they'll sure pop their heads out to see what's going on. That's the real genius I think. The rest of it, batteries and quietness and all, could be seen as just a list of what's necessary to get race cars into city street circuits. I wouldn't be surprised if, rather than flop, these events became THE place for corporations to be doing their hospitality. Got a store near the circuit? Order the fizz and get your best clients in for finger-food and eco-action!
The potential is definitely there. Of course, that's no guarantee it'll catch on, but when you take the action to the people you've instantly got one hell of an advantage over any other formula.
Yes I've come to sort of understand that now, quite clever really. They knew that it's very existence would alienate half it's potential fanbase if they pushed it as a regular motorsport series so they've ignored them knowing those motorsport fans who it does appeal to will follow it anyway. This is basically being pitched as motorsport for people who don't like motorsport.And yet, 2.5 million people turned out to watch the Tour de France grande depart in Yorkshire. Why? Because they didn't have to go anywhere. The racing came to them.
If anything works in Formula-E's favour, it'll be the locations. Taking it to the fans who don't even know they're fans yet, but if it's on their doorstep, they'll sure pop their heads out to see what's going on. That's the real genius I think. The rest of it, batteries and quietness and all, could be seen as just a list of what's necessary to get race cars into city street circuits. I wouldn't be surprised if, rather than flop, these events became THE place for corporations to be doing their hospitality. Got a store near the circuit? Order the fizz and get your best clients in for finger-food and eco-action!
The potential is definitely there. Of course, that's no guarantee it'll catch on, but when you take the action to the people you've instantly got one hell of an advantage over any other formula.
On that level I think it could succeed but then it is a bit reliant on those people who turn up to watch it when it's in town then deciding they want to watch it on the telly. It would be interesting to see how many of the 2.5 million who went to Yorkshire are now following the rest of the TDF?
Anyway I'm off to Donny tomorrow to have a closer look.
Just come back from watching these, missed the morning session but got there just in time for the walk around and afternoon session.
Apart from the circuit having a power cut and the cars therefore having a delay in recharging, I know you couldn't make it up! The cars looked okay to good, they didn't look quick at any part of the circuit apart from the Melbourne loop but to be fair that section is apparently more akin to what the actual circuits will be like. There seemed to be a huge difference in the speeds even for the same car on different laps, I know this is only the third test so assume that this is due to gremlins but hope that they do not have to go at such a low speed to get distance needs as we are talking slower than standard hatchback speeds.
As for the noise, well they do make a noise albeit quieter than a normal car and it was quickly forgotten by me.
All in I'm looking forward to the first race and would suggest people give it fair go, and treat as a necessary evil maybe.
Apart from the circuit having a power cut and the cars therefore having a delay in recharging, I know you couldn't make it up! The cars looked okay to good, they didn't look quick at any part of the circuit apart from the Melbourne loop but to be fair that section is apparently more akin to what the actual circuits will be like. There seemed to be a huge difference in the speeds even for the same car on different laps, I know this is only the third test so assume that this is due to gremlins but hope that they do not have to go at such a low speed to get distance needs as we are talking slower than standard hatchback speeds.
As for the noise, well they do make a noise albeit quieter than a normal car and it was quickly forgotten by me.
All in I'm looking forward to the first race and would suggest people give it fair go, and treat as a necessary evil maybe.
LongQ said:
kazste said:
All in I'm looking forward to the first race and would suggest people give it fair go, and treat as a necessary evil maybe.
Hmm. Something OT.I know it is a common phrase but can there actually be anything that is described as and justified as "a necessary evil"?
I was there today as well, whilst the noise is different (and there isn't much of it) it's actually rather interesting as you can hear the car work - quite different compared to most FIA-sanctioned series! The speed is obviously not there at a circuit like Donington, but hills like the climb up to MacLeans and Coppice aren't going to be common unless they race in San Francisco... 
Quite nippy through the corners and they do move around a fair bit.
What'll be interesting is how they deal with Long Beach; that's a real long main straight with a lot of twisties!
ETA: Haven't been to Donington since a very wet Britcar weekend in the 2nd weekend of May; now the grass is starting to grow back the centre of the circuit is looking much nicer.
Quite nippy through the corners and they do move around a fair bit.What'll be interesting is how they deal with Long Beach; that's a real long main straight with a lot of twisties!
ETA: Haven't been to Donington since a very wet Britcar weekend in the 2nd weekend of May; now the grass is starting to grow back the centre of the circuit is looking much nicer.
Edited by PabloTheOrange on Wednesday 9th July 21:52
PabloTheOrange said:
I was there today as well
Me too, quite enjoyed it. 20 cars out on track, plenty of laps being run and lots of well known drivers. The acceleration was a bit slower than I expected but the cornering speed looked ok and I also liked how you could hear everything from the locking up to the rumble-strips being hit etc.Technically I think it's an interesting format and from next season the teams will be allowed to develop their own cars and powertrains although I'm not sure how that will work out considering how expensive it'll be.
Edited to add a few photos : https://www.flickr.com/photos/andy_mid/sets/721576...
Edited by mids on Wednesday 9th July 23:41
I've read this thread with interest. Interesting how so called motorsport fans are writing off a series before it has even started. How many of you have bothered to even go and actually get a look at these cars on track?
This motor sport is not comparative to any other, it is not F1 and it is not BTCC. It's certainly not trying to be either.
It has huge financial backing, both from manufacturers and investors, the cars look fantastic, it has TV coverage in its first season, it has a mix of established drivers, many ex F1, and up and coming drivers. They are even racing Monaco!
The cars do make noise, but it's different. It's not non existent as is being made out my some and I have even seen it referred to as the silent motorsport, that is ridiculous. You can hear the cars coming and as someone has mentioned lock ups, tyre noise and kerb noise is something none of us are use too. There is still a whine/whoosh noise as the cars pass or accelerate. It's just not what we are used too!
Someone has also mentioned about some cars being slower than others, that's because they have all been running at different outputs from the batteries, they have not been racing. They have been lapping Donnington at almost F3 paces, in their first test!! This technology is only going to go one way.
I attended the test days at Donnington with hundreds, if not 000's of other people. I don't think this is a series that will fade away, not with the likes of Williams, Audi and Virgin being involved!
Don't write it off before you've seen it, that's ridiculous. Get to Donny on the 19th of August for the finally test, you may just be surprised.
This motor sport is not comparative to any other, it is not F1 and it is not BTCC. It's certainly not trying to be either.
It has huge financial backing, both from manufacturers and investors, the cars look fantastic, it has TV coverage in its first season, it has a mix of established drivers, many ex F1, and up and coming drivers. They are even racing Monaco!
The cars do make noise, but it's different. It's not non existent as is being made out my some and I have even seen it referred to as the silent motorsport, that is ridiculous. You can hear the cars coming and as someone has mentioned lock ups, tyre noise and kerb noise is something none of us are use too. There is still a whine/whoosh noise as the cars pass or accelerate. It's just not what we are used too!
Someone has also mentioned about some cars being slower than others, that's because they have all been running at different outputs from the batteries, they have not been racing. They have been lapping Donnington at almost F3 paces, in their first test!! This technology is only going to go one way.
I attended the test days at Donnington with hundreds, if not 000's of other people. I don't think this is a series that will fade away, not with the likes of Williams, Audi and Virgin being involved!
Don't write it off before you've seen it, that's ridiculous. Get to Donny on the 19th of August for the finally test, you may just be surprised.
TartanPaint said:
To most people, bicycles are white goods too.
And yet, 2.5 million people turned out to watch the Tour de France grande depart in Yorkshire. Why? Because they didn't have to go anywhere. The racing came to them.
If anything works in Formula-E's favour, it'll be the locations. Taking it to the fans who don't even know they're fans yet, but if it's on their doorstep, they'll sure pop their heads out to see what's going on. That's the real genius I think. The rest of it, batteries and quietness and all, could be seen as just a list of what's necessary to get race cars into city street circuits. I wouldn't be surprised if, rather than flop, these events became THE place for corporations to be doing their hospitality. Got a store near the circuit? Order the fizz and get your best clients in for finger-food and eco-action!
The potential is definitely there. Of course, that's no guarantee it'll catch on, but when you take the action to the people you've instantly got one hell of an advantage over any other formula.
I think you're underestimating the popularity of cycling there. Bradley Wiggins winning the TdF and then the Olympic gold created a huge buzz.And yet, 2.5 million people turned out to watch the Tour de France grande depart in Yorkshire. Why? Because they didn't have to go anywhere. The racing came to them.
If anything works in Formula-E's favour, it'll be the locations. Taking it to the fans who don't even know they're fans yet, but if it's on their doorstep, they'll sure pop their heads out to see what's going on. That's the real genius I think. The rest of it, batteries and quietness and all, could be seen as just a list of what's necessary to get race cars into city street circuits. I wouldn't be surprised if, rather than flop, these events became THE place for corporations to be doing their hospitality. Got a store near the circuit? Order the fizz and get your best clients in for finger-food and eco-action!
The potential is definitely there. Of course, that's no guarantee it'll catch on, but when you take the action to the people you've instantly got one hell of an advantage over any other formula.
The TdF is also a massively significant and historic event. Regardless of whether people actively watch it or even know who won it, they know it's on when it's on. Plus Yorkshire people are proud of their county and wanted to put on a massive show.
I just don't see people watching this much, once the initial novelty of it wears off you've got no noise, ugly cars and no major names. Plus the fact, the races are gonna be on ITV4 so nobody will watch.
F1GTRUeno said:
I just don't see people watching this much, once the initial novelty of it wears off you've got no noise, ugly cars and no major names.
Disagree on all three points. The driver line-up has got plenty of well known names, lack of driver talent is not something you can claim about Formula-E.mids said:
F1GTRUeno said:
I just don't see people watching this much, once the initial novelty of it wears off you've got no noise, ugly cars and no major names.
Disagree on all three points. The driver line-up has got plenty of well known names, lack of driver talent is not something you can claim about Formula-E.Am i right in thinking only 3 teams (against 7) don't have at least 1 ex-F1 driver? There are also 2 female drivers which seems to be new idea for F1 as well.
I quite enjoyed the test the other day and once the cars started doing some laps they really weren't all that bad. The noise is different but you can certainly hear the cars before you see them. There was also a surprisingly large amount of people there for what was a mid-week test, easily more then you would find on a regular saturday club meeting.
Here are a few pics.
and finally, so much for being carbon neutral.
Here are a few pics.
and finally, so much for being carbon neutral.
8 different powertrains have been homologated for the 2015-16 season.
http://www.crash.net/formula-e/news/221683/1/eight...
ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport - ABT Schaeffler FE01
Andretti Formula E Team - Andretti ATEC-01
Dragon Racing - Venturi VM200-FE-01
DS Virgin Racing - Virgin DSV-01
Mahindra Racing - Mahindra M2ELECTRO
NEXTEV TCR - NEXTEV TCR Formula E 001
Renault e.Dams - Renault Z.E.15
Team Aguri - SRT-01e
Trulli FE Team - Motomatica JT-01
Venturi Venturi VM200-FE-01
http://www.crash.net/formula-e/news/221683/1/eight...
ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport - ABT Schaeffler FE01
Andretti Formula E Team - Andretti ATEC-01
Dragon Racing - Venturi VM200-FE-01
DS Virgin Racing - Virgin DSV-01
Mahindra Racing - Mahindra M2ELECTRO
NEXTEV TCR - NEXTEV TCR Formula E 001
Renault e.Dams - Renault Z.E.15
Team Aguri - SRT-01e
Trulli FE Team - Motomatica JT-01
Venturi Venturi VM200-FE-01
Like a bad smell, it's back.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121457
Beijing race this weekend. I can see now why China's President Xi Jinping left to visit the UK instead.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/121457
Beijing race this weekend. I can see now why China's President Xi Jinping left to visit the UK instead.
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