Formula E dead and buried in the UK?
Discussion
SpeedMattersNot said:
corozin said:
I understand what you're saying, but the problem the Formula has is that it is not that it is lacking in speed, but that it is lacking in spectacle. As Formula One is probably about to find out, there is no point making the cars xx fast if the spectacle provided by the noise, dicing and overtaking is poor.
Motor Racing only exists in almost any serious form because of sponsors. Sponsors only put the money in if they think there is a suitable audience to justify the investment. If you produce something which produces a sterile spectacle for race goers and viewers, they will just seek entertainment elsewhere. I'm sure that electric powertrains are going to figure greatly in the future of road cars, but it's rubbish motorsport and it's novelty value will wane quickly with it's audiences. At that point the sponsors and manufacturers will kill Formula E off, and look for more interesting and cost effective ways to reach thier audience.
As is, the "formula" for Formula E is just all wrong from my perspective. I need noise, smoke, vibration, a sense of drivers on the edge of thier skill and competition. I need a spectacle to see in exchange for my ticket money and time.
I've read a good book which proves what I've highlighted in bold not to be the case. It's a very common misconception. There are at least 20 good reason why sponsors will invest in racing teams...brand awareness for companies such as McDonalds and Gillette is irrelevant! Motor Racing only exists in almost any serious form because of sponsors. Sponsors only put the money in if they think there is a suitable audience to justify the investment. If you produce something which produces a sterile spectacle for race goers and viewers, they will just seek entertainment elsewhere. I'm sure that electric powertrains are going to figure greatly in the future of road cars, but it's rubbish motorsport and it's novelty value will wane quickly with it's audiences. At that point the sponsors and manufacturers will kill Formula E off, and look for more interesting and cost effective ways to reach thier audience.
As is, the "formula" for Formula E is just all wrong from my perspective. I need noise, smoke, vibration, a sense of drivers on the edge of thier skill and competition. I need a spectacle to see in exchange for my ticket money and time.
Regarding the drivers being on edge, trust me, the cars are engineered very differently. Everything is focused around battery life, so do you want that rear toe-in for stability on the braking? Tough...it causes scrub. You want caster for that feeling of self-alignment towards centre when exiting a corner? Tough...it causes mechanical trail in the tyre which slows the car down.
The days have gone where drivers put 101% effort in as it has been proven that it is slower...Put that 94.67346433% in and they'll produce the fastest race time. There's no escaping that fact now...
mad4amanda said:
Did any of you come and watch any of the races in Battersea Park especially the last one? I was working there it was the most exciting race I have seen for years with the championship being decided back and forward during the race!
I'm afraid to tell you something else, ordinary people you know 90% of the population , definitely not us, love the racing and the cars and could stand and see quite a lot getting up close to the chicanes you felt like the cars were fast enough to be spectacular. I saw lots of families having a great time , but maybe you had to be there to see that?
As for the future , well the second year the cars were much better and they will get better as the tech meets the challenges, isn't that what has always happened ? As for people saying its dead that sounds like the guy from IBM saying there was no market for personal computers.
Will they get faster ? Hell yes , will they last longer , hell yes ! Will they eventually be able to race on race tracks yes, but the attraction is going to where the people are, not the other way round? Will they sound better err maybe not.....
If you really believe Formula E was some of the most exciting motorsport you've ever seen then I can't help thinking that you havn't seen much motor racing. Seriously...I'm afraid to tell you something else, ordinary people you know 90% of the population , definitely not us, love the racing and the cars and could stand and see quite a lot getting up close to the chicanes you felt like the cars were fast enough to be spectacular. I saw lots of families having a great time , but maybe you had to be there to see that?
As for the future , well the second year the cars were much better and they will get better as the tech meets the challenges, isn't that what has always happened ? As for people saying its dead that sounds like the guy from IBM saying there was no market for personal computers.
Will they get faster ? Hell yes , will they last longer , hell yes ! Will they eventually be able to race on race tracks yes, but the attraction is going to where the people are, not the other way round? Will they sound better err maybe not.....
markw996 said:
AndrewEH1 said:
Do they still swap cars half way through?
Yes they do. It's the first time I've watched it and I found it quite interesting.. particularly as I've just bought a used Nissan Leaf for my commute 
corozin said:
mad4amanda said:
Did any of you come and watch any of the races in Battersea Park especially the last one? I was working there it was the most exciting race I have seen for years with the championship being decided back and forward during the race!
I'm afraid to tell you something else, ordinary people you know 90% of the population , definitely not us, love the racing and the cars and could stand and see quite a lot getting up close to the chicanes you felt like the cars were fast enough to be spectacular. I saw lots of families having a great time , but maybe you had to be there to see that?
As for the future , well the second year the cars were much better and they will get better as the tech meets the challenges, isn't that what has always happened ? As for people saying its dead that sounds like the guy from IBM saying there was no market for personal computers.
Will they get faster ? Hell yes , will they last longer , hell yes ! Will they eventually be able to race on race tracks yes, but the attraction is going to where the people are, not the other way round? Will they sound better err maybe not.....
If you really believe Formula E was some of the most exciting motorsport you've ever seen then I can't help thinking that you havn't seen much motor racing. Seriously...I'm afraid to tell you something else, ordinary people you know 90% of the population , definitely not us, love the racing and the cars and could stand and see quite a lot getting up close to the chicanes you felt like the cars were fast enough to be spectacular. I saw lots of families having a great time , but maybe you had to be there to see that?
As for the future , well the second year the cars were much better and they will get better as the tech meets the challenges, isn't that what has always happened ? As for people saying its dead that sounds like the guy from IBM saying there was no market for personal computers.
Will they get faster ? Hell yes , will they last longer , hell yes ! Will they eventually be able to race on race tracks yes, but the attraction is going to where the people are, not the other way round? Will they sound better err maybe not.....
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