I’m sure our ancestors were as equally skeptical of those newfangled “horseless carriages” back in the late 1800’s...

Formula E is racing - first one to the prescribed distance wins. The method, of course, is in its infancy, but I’m interested to see what the future holds.

As for sound, the point is to go fast, not sound the loudest. I’m sure we can create a new “racing” league where the loudest engine noise is declared the winner (apparently, HD buyers believe that is an actual competition...)

True, while I do miss the shriek of the old V10 F1 cars, the racing is still good with the much quieter V6 turbos.

From the USGP last year, they had a masters race with 70s Ford DFV V8s, big sound difference. And the 2 seater, a 1998 Tyrell (which I can't get a response from F1 on the cost) has that glorious V10 wail.

Sound is an incredibly attractive feature of big horsepower. If that makes me a Luddite, so be it.

Naw. Sort of like remote control cars for kids. Maybe after more refined technology and deeper insight (individual tweaking, customizing). At this stage it looks like the restrictions and still developing/emerging technology limit the excitement. The sounds and danger all contributed. Without those factors it seems pretty tame. I guess you could play the whine of electric motors over the sound system, but it’s not the same. On the other hand going 250 mph is plenty exciting with or without noise.

Formula E isn't a race, it's an exhibition.

In order to win an auto race, any auto race, the same car that starts has to finish. Therefore, nobody has ever won a Formula E event.

Ok, my turn again. I have seen Le Mans, several times, great movie.

I don't like the concept of switching cars, I think it defeats the purpose of racing. When the Indy started as a 500 mile race, the winner was often the one who actually finished. Many cars broke down and never made it. If you're going to race Formula E, you should be able to run the entire race on one car.

You need to either shorten the race so the cars can just make it and have to use acceleration and speed carefully, or as some suggested find a way to swap batteries in the pits.

quote:

Originally posted by oilpatch29:
Formula E isn't a race, it's an exhibition.

In order to win an auto race, any auto race, the same car that starts has to finish. Therefore, nobody has ever won a Formula E event.

?

That might be your rules, but a race is a race is a race.


First one to the finish line or the allotted distance within the rules wins, whether you swap cars, vehicles, drivers, locations or any other metric. Rally has different locations every day, FIA WEC changes drivers... does your arbitrary line invalidate those series, for different purposes?

In any case, next year the cars will not have to be swapped mid race.

quote:

In any case, next year the cars will not have to be swapped mid race.

And they will still be running on coal or nuclear power like all electric cars.

quote:

Originally posted by Georgeair:
I will say, the first one I watched was when I learned about Fan Boost. I'll copy the text I sent to a racing buddy below, his reply was "so, popularity contest? GHEY!"

quote:

Fanboost
For each race, fans can vote for their favourite driver via various social media channels to give them an extra power boost. Voting starts six days before the event and closes after the opening six minutes of the race. The three winning Fanboost drivers each receive an extra 100 kJ of energy to be used in a power window between 180 kW and 200 kW.[2]

That is most definitely ghey.

Seems like the next step should be to go driverless, with the cars sponsored by Uber, Lyft, Amazon, etc., demonostrating technology not only negotiating traffic but racing and passing, too. Ooh that'll be fantastic.

I'm thinking I'm on the "this is stupid" half of this debate.

If the car can't finish the race - you lose.

Screaming Engine Noise gives me goosebumps and adrenaline.

If you're going to vote someone a kila/kilo joule then you might as well let simon cowell be in charge with his tight white t-shirt...

I don't think I would care to watch it (unless my alternatives were golf or soccer).