Formula E heads to Mexico for the fourth round of the season with Bird and Virgin leading the championships, a new driver in the field. We preview what to look out for in Mexico.
Please discuss here all your remarks and pose your questions about all racing series, except Formula One. Both technical and other questions about GP2, Touring cars, IRL, LMS, ...
The series hasn't started yet, FFS. Those teams have been working on radically different and new cars for about 3 hours of track time. AFAICR for the first F1 race, the differences were measured more in laps than in minutes...
In the former test the differences were 14 seconds, so come the secornd rade the difference withh be -12 seconds.
WilliamsF1 wrote:Why the idea of changing cars? They could just make a pit stop change the battery module.
I suggested this in my first paper placed before the FIA on EV racing in 2010.
I also suggested ways of controlling the sourcing, charging and safety of side pod based battery packs.
The organisers concluded that replacing battery packs would not be safe enough at least for the first season.
I see it more as a way to sell more of the initial fixed spec race cars.
autogyro wrote:I suggested this in my first paper placed before the FIA on EV racing in 2010.
I also suggested ways of controlling the sourcing, charging and safety of side pod based battery packs.
WOW what a great idea. Nice one.
Could you share that paper with us, please ? But if it is "confidential" and you want keep information for your self i will understand and respect that. Thanks!
"And if you no longer go for a gap that exists, you're no longer a racing driver..." Ayrton Senna
MOWOG wrote:Yikes! 8 seconds difference first to last driving spec racers? And in Formula One, often the difference is 3 +/- seconds with 11 different cars from 11 different teams using 3 different engines?
The teams at the bottom had tech issues. They also added a chicane right after the old hairpin and some other slight track changes, specifically so the laptimes can't be compared to other series.
“To be able to actually make something is awfully nice”
Bruce McLaren on building his first McLaren racecars, 1970
“I've got to be careful what I say, but possibly to probably Juan would have had a bigger go”
Sir Frank Williams after the 2003 Canadian GP, where Ralf hesitated to pass brother M. Schumacher
MOWOG wrote:Yikes! 8 seconds difference first to last driving spec racers? And in Formula One, often the difference is 3 +/- seconds with 11 different cars from 11 different teams using 3 different engines?
3.6 seconds difference, so I guess Montagny had some problems
so 4.2 is the real difference between first and last
And as someone explained, they all are working at different areas. We don´t even know if they all used power mode, maybe some of them were only testing race mode (90 hp less)
The following paper was placed before the FIA in Paris in 2010.
My concept was for an open wheeled EV formula comparable to F3 and for two international Kart formula.
The organisers for Formula E extended this into a formula that will eventually compete at the top of motor sport.
I still believe that there needs to be a lower formula for open wheeled EV racing (a feeder series) and the two Kart series.
I am open to discus this with interested parties.
I believe the huge investment made in FE will overcome the problems it will be beset with in the first few seasons.
However, I believe my original concept is far closer to the ideal looked for by the now far more aware world public.
CARBON NEUTRAL MOTOR SPORT
CONCEPT PAPER
CONTENTS
-------
FOREWORD
INTRODUCTION
-------
PROPOSALS
Section 1. Main Objectives
Section 2. Development
Section 3. Timetable
Section 4. Concluding Submissions
APPENDICES
I Technical
II Implementation
Carbon Neutral Motor Sport
Foreword
My name is .........ag ; I am a retired transmission engineer.
Firstly, other than my interests in the survival of our planet and world motor sport, I
hereby categorically affirm that I have no vested interest of any kind, in any way,
either financial, commercial, personal, or other, from which I could derive any benefit
from these proposals.
I am a lifelong motor sport enthusiast and an occasional MSA licence holder. I am
deeply concerned about the effects so called greenhouse gasses but primarily carbon
dioxide emissions are having on our planet; and more specifically, the widely held
misconception that the internal combustion engine is the primary cause.
Arguably, fossil fuels have given the single greatest impetus - ever - to industrial and
social advancement in the developed world.
Within that context, the internal combustion engine has probably made the greatest
single contribution to this rapid advance.
However, it is indisputable that the most compelling issue facing the world today is
the harm fossil based fuels have caused, are causing and will continue to cause to our
planets natural environment.
While there is no doubt the i/c engine does contribute to the overall production of
green house gas, it is now an accepted fact and a matter of statistical record, that
relative to other sources, this contribution is very small indeed.
For a variety of reasons, the inescapable presence of road transport being one, and an
easy target for ‘eco warriors’ being another, it has become the perception of many,
quite wrongly, that the i/c engine is the greatest single source of atmospheric
pollution.
It is universally acknowledged that modern mans very existence is dependent upon
transportation in all its forms. Thus the i/c engine is accepted as a ‘necessary evil’.
However, by contrast, motor sport is perceived by many as absolutely non-essential,
indeed in an ecological context, even as an unacceptable indulgence.
This is the problem that faces the world motor sport governing body, the FIA, today.
How to correct this gross misconception and minimise the negative perception motor
sport has in the minds of so many people.
I have personally noted the views, over a considerable period of time, of many, many
people, both inside and outside the sport, academics, politicians, industrialists,
organisations and others, both governmental and non-governmental. Most of these
people, if not themselves motor sport enthusiasts, have at least been sympathetic to
our sport.
The general consensus of opinion seems to be that although the higher levels of motor
sport have provided the motor industry with huge exposure, mostly positive and on a
global scale. In terms of technological development, the motor industry has failed to
benefit from this association with regard to advancing the use of alternative energy
and reducing the reliance on fossil sourced fuel.
The motor industry, therefore, is perceived at best, to have been ‘dragging its feet’ for
too long in this regard, and sadly motor sport is, by association also ‘tarred with the
same brush’.
Being a life long motor sport enthusiast, an occasional competitor and also a supporter
of the sensible use of alternate energy, these matters have given me cause for grave
concern for the future of our sport.
It is my firm belief, that this is the perfect moment for the F.I.A. to seize the initiative
and to act firmly and decisively, to improve the image of motor sport as perceived by
the world public.
I believe it is now essential for the F.I.A. to establish new ‘official’ formulae for
electric vehicles, regulated to run alongside the established i/c formulae and to take on
the major task of developing electric motor sport and other alternative energy based
racing from within the governing body, in addition to continuing to provide support
for the ‘one marque’ and experimental incentives that continue to originate from
outside the F.I.A.
The F.I.A. has accumulated a huge expertise and experience regulating alternate
energy motor sport over many years that is second to none, providing a framework
that should guarantee a successful launch of these new ‘official’ EV formulae.
The proposal contained in this paper, is as a direct consequence.
Carbon Neutral Motor Sport
Introduction
In the considered opinion of the writer, it is absolutely imperative that at this time the
Governing body of world motor sport demonstrate motor sport’s absolute
commitment to combating global warming by not only giving moral support to this
proposal, but in order to ensure maximum interest from potential competitors, in the
first instance also to provide sufficient start-up funds to produce one fully functioning
prototype of each vehicle, followed by one production example of each and the means
to give the maximum possible public exposure to this revolutionary new concept over
the year 2010.
These vehicles to be used to launch and promote the proposed series during the 2010
season, to enable the organisers to assemble together sufficient numbers of customer
vehicles for the MSA to include ‘national open’ events for all vehicles in their 2011
calendar.
For safety reasons and to ensure a ‘level playing field’, it is proposed that.
all batteries used by competitors during any organised event are to be provided by the
national MSA, or by a suitably qualified person or organisation appointed by the
MSA. (See 1.2(a) - )
Providing full control over the electrical power supply of these formulae, will for the
first time, give the competitors in an alternate energy racing environment, the
certainty of equal potential performance from competing vehicles.
This is not possible in current ‘one marque’ electric series, which tend towards very
high costs based on the specialised road vehicles that these series are based upon. This
results in few teams considering the purchase of new and expensive vehicles, with
unproven power train systems and unmatched power delivery.
While these ‘one marque’ series, fully justify the support of the governing body,
precisely because they are by definition a ‘national marque’ they tend to be very
limited in their true international appeal.
It will also allow a fair maximum cost for the vehicles to be established through
sensible regulation. In the normal scheme of things, a natural consequence of
commercial sponsorship is to raise the profile of the Sport in general and one
particular category in particular, including the provision of trophies, prize money etc.
However in this instance, it is probable that the Primary Sponsor will emerge from
within the ‘Energy Industry’ itself and may well have recourse to specialist expertise
in the very field of ‘Carbon Neutral’ energy infrastructure required by the regulations.
In this regard, that is the provision of the necessary infrastructure. In particular on the
matter of dealing with the circuits, regarding the installation of on-circuit charging
facilities, wind turbines, solar panels etc, the F.I.A. should incentivise any potential
Primary Sponsor, by conferring on them the title ‘Preferred Bidder’ status.
(See 2.4 - )
Electric Vehicle Carbon Neutral Motor Sport
Proposal
1. Main Objectives
1.1 To inaugurate two electric kart and at least one electric car circuit racing series.
1.2 To create the first ‘official’ Carbon Neutral Motor Sport.
(a) The battery packs of each vehicle designed to be easily and safely replaced at the
race circuit, to ensure that full power is made available and equal for all
competing vehicles for practice, qualifying and racing.
(b) The battery packs to be re-charged at, or away from the circuit by an appropriate
‘Carbon Friendly’ energy source.
(c) This source to be accredited by the F.I.A. governing body.
1.3 The proposed racing will comprise.
(a) Junior kart series for the younger entrants into the sport, ‘E Kadet’.
(b) Senior kart for the older more experienced, ‘Formula E’.
(c) Open wheel single seat car series approximating to the leading UK ‘junior’
conventional formulae, (Ford, Forward or First). Control tyres, no slicks or
wings, mechanical grip only, ‘F3E’.
1.4 The power and drive train components in each series for the vehicles.
(a) Will be identical and ideally from one source.
(b) All components to be specified in detail and regulated by the F.I.A.
2. Development
2.1 In order to ensure safety, conformity and an absolutely level playing field.
In the first instance, all battery packs will be the sole responsibility of the MSA.
National MSAs will appoint a suitably qualified electric racing vehicle
‘Energy Manager’, to implement the ‘Carbon Neutral’ energy policy.
The energy manager will take sole responsibility for the specification, original
supply, maintenance and to ensure the availability of an adequate number of
suitable, fully charged battery packs at each event.
2.2 Management and operating costs in respect to the provision of batteries, to be
recovered from the entrant by a ‘Fuel Saving’ element incorporated in the
entry fee.
2.3 To encourage the full participation of the national MSAs and to bring these
important and innovative events to the attention of potential competitors,
commercial partners and the media. The F.I.A. to kick–start the scheme in the
first instance, by underwriting the cost of the following.
(a) (i) To commission the design and build of one (1) fully functioning prototype
example of each of the proposed categories.
(ii) On successful conclusion of the test and development programmes.
To commission the production of one (1) of each customer production
version of each vehicle.
(b) The test and development programmes and the first production vehicles to be
completed in good time, to ensure that a sufficient number of completed race
ready production vehicles are available to
(i) Satisfy all publicity, promotional and demonstration needs for early in the
second half of the 2010 season.
(ii) Exhibit at the 2011 ‘Autosport International Racing Car Show’.
(iii) Meet the anticipated customer demand.
(iv) Form satisfactory grids for the start of the 2011 season.
(c) Join with the organisers to approach both government and NGAs, especially the
‘Alternate Energy Industry’, in order to identify the sources and maximise the
use of public funding intended to encourage the initiation of such schemes.
(d) Source the capital investment necessary to create an ‘Energy Consortium’ to
formulate and implement a policy to meet the alternate energy needs of these
electric vehicle racing formulae within a national and international context.
2.4 As an incentive, the F.I.A. is to confer on the primary sponsor the title
‘Preferred Bidder Status’, in respect to establishing the planned ‘Carbon Neutral’
infrastructure, on circuit or off.
2.5 In the first instance, the re-charging of the battery packs will of necessity be by
conventional means. However, the declared intention from the outset is to create
the first ‘Official Carbon Neutral’ motor sport series’. Therefore within a
specified time frame, every circuit wishing to host rounds of the series’ will
commit to the following.
(a) Confirm the series electricity supply to be approved ‘Carbon Friendly’.
(b) Provide the means of re-charging the battery packs from an alternate energy
source on circuit, either by wind turbine, solar panels, carbon credits or other
alternate energy source, within a time frame agreed by the governing body.
2.6 All three series’ to be piloted simultaneously by the RAC MSA at club and then
national level in the UK, with the declared intention for all three series’ to
become international as early as practical.
2.7 The regulations to be structured in such a way as to allow all national MSAs to
introduce one, two, or all three formulae into their own national formulae. Upon
satisfactory completion of the test and development programme of each vehicle,
by special dispensation of the national MSA, the prototype vehicles to take part
in appropriate formula events during the 2010 season but without racing for
position, points or prizes.
2.8 The F.I.A to sanction and support international series’ as early as possible.
The electric kart and car series’ herein defined, to support, as early as is
practicable, significant motor sport championship events, such as,
MSA Superkarts, Formula Three, Formula Renault, TOCA and ultimately
GP2 / Formula 1 on a global platform.
3. Timetable
3.1 Prototypes to commence test and development programmes as soon as possible.
(a) Karts no later than 30th April 2010, car 31st June 2010.
(b) A minimum of ten (10) race ready customer cars and twenty (20) of each kart
chassis to be completed and ready for delivery by the 31st December 2010.
(c) Introduction and participation in UK motor sport for the start of the 2011 season.
4. Concluding Submissions
4.1 Should the above submissions and proposed time frames meet with the approval
of the F.I.A. A.E.C, TWG and MSAs, then time is of the essence.
4.2 In order to fulfil the very compact schedule proposed, it is absolutely imperative
that all parties with the minimum of delay take decisive action.
4.3 In anticipation of approval, the author has taken upon himself to thoroughly
research industry, both inside and outside motor sport. To identify suitable
suppliers of all the components and services necessary to put all of the above
into effect within the time frame indicated.
4.4 Those selected are at the very highest level in their particular industry. I have
confirmed that each one, not only has the will and the ability to fulfil the tasks
requested of them but more importantly the capacity to do so and without
exception or hesitation they have given me a solemn undertaking so to do.
4.5 Subject to the Governing Body giving their full support, both moral and
practical to the fundamental principles expressed above.
I the author, feeling that I am uniquely qualified and uniquely
placed to do so, give a solemn undertaking.
To accept the role of co-ordinator of the entire project.
I will work wholly and exclusively to implement the above proposals, to the
highest standards of the sport, within the time scale indicated, to the best of my
abilities and totally within the proposed budget.
4.6 Should the Commission require further clarification, explanation or expansion
on any aspect of the above whatsoever, I would be pleased to personally attend
to do this at any time and place convenient to the commission.
IMPLEMENTATION.
PLAN A. Phase I
1.1 On receipt of funds the organisers to
(a) Appoint a ‘Project Manager’, the project manager decisions to be final.
(b) Appoint publicity and marketing agencies.
(c) Conclude binding agreements with all prototype partners, each to sign an
undertaking to meet specified schedules and budgets
(d) Organisers and prototype partners to engage with appropriate MSA specialists to
formulate initial ‘broad-brush’ technical specifications.
(e) Contract with all prototype partners to commence the design, development and
construction of their respective prototype chassis, following which
(i) The PP to undertake to a full and successful conclusion, a test and
development program. On completion of which
(ii) Produce (1) one fully finished, race ready, customer production model of
each chassis.
(iii) Both prototype and production models are and will remain the exclusive
property of the organisers.
(f) Place orders for sufficient dedicated electrical components.
To include, motors, batteries, battery management systems, harness’ etc,
sufficient to complete prototypes x 3 and production models x 3.
1.2 On completing satisfactory shake down of the production model, final
production specifications to be agreed and fixed by mutual agreement between
prototype partner, MSA and organisers.
1.3 The organisers to engage with circuit owners in order to
(a) Acquaint them with, and seek their agreement to, the principle of the
‘Carbon Neutral’ element.
(b) Seek their agreement to the terms.
(c) Seek their co-operation in making available, compliant on-circuit charging
arrangements and/or the necessary infrastructure.
1.4 The organisers, with the Governing Body and the MSA, to identify and
approach the potential market, to find primary and secondary sponsors.
1.5 As an incentive, the F.I.A. to confer on the primary sponsor the title
‘Preferred Bidder’ in respect to establishing the planned ‘Carbon Neutral’
infrastructure, on circuit or off. (see note)
1.6 The MSA with the organisers to arrange everything necessary, to facilitate
those interested becoming new ‘Electric Vehicle Racing Series Sponsors’.
With a minimum two-year contract period, but ideally a five-year commitment.
PLAN A. Phase 2
2.1 The MSA to incorporate complete details with technical specifications in the
2011 MSA UK ‘Blue Book’.
2.2 The organisers to circulate final technical specifications as widely as possible,
to all possible interested parties, with the intention of attracting the widest
possible interest from chassis/vehicle manufacturers, to ensure a range of
alternative chassis marques, in order to
(a) Encourage competition for customers, thus creating a more open market.
(b) Provide the potential competitor with a choice of vehicle supply.
(c) Introduce a dynamic in terms of progressive development.
(d) Provide a greater visual spectacle of variety and interest.
(e) Attract the largest possible number of competitors for the inaugural season.
2.3 The organisers working with the FIA, MSA and sponsors, to give the widest
possible exposure to these innovative new series’ in the run-up to the 2011
Season by
(a) Attracting media interest, using press releases, editorial and targeted commercial
advertising.
(b) Ensuring a presence at relevant expositions during 2010.
(c) Providing full exposure at the 2011 ‘Autosport International Racing Car Show’.
2.4 The Organisers to put in place everything necessary to
(a) Provide whatever support is necessary, to ensure that these unique EVR series’
are quickly established and flourish.
(b) Convince all parties, especially primary sponsors and competitors that a level
playing field and fair equitable competition is established.
(c) Provide a mechanism by which all parties can give and receive feedback and a
means for recording all relevant submissions and the considered response.
PLAN B.
1. In the unlikely event of the organisers failing to secure satisfactory commercial
support in sufficient time, or failing to receive a sufficient number of customer
deposits to facilitate the commercial completion of the proposed minimum
requirement of each proposed race chassis. That is, ten (10) car, forty (40) Karts.
To ensure an orderly and credible launch and to guarantee the minimum number
of starters for these unique and revolutionary Electric Racing Series’.
It is proposed that the FIA temporarily provide sufficient funds to underwrite
any shortfall in chassis numbers. This investment to be repaid in full, plus an
amount in respect of interest at BOE base rate plus 2.0 % immediately full
customer payment is received.
Strange, even in the slowest corners, you only hear the wind noise.
“To be able to actually make something is awfully nice”
Bruce McLaren on building his first McLaren racecars, 1970
“I've got to be careful what I say, but possibly to probably Juan would have had a bigger go”
Sir Frank Williams after the 2003 Canadian GP, where Ralf hesitated to pass brother M. Schumacher
