Formula E debuts in China this Saturday

[ttweed]

First race of the FIA all-electric formula cars kicks off in Beijing this weekend. It'll be weird not hearing exhaust sounds, but I'm going to watch it (or rather, DVR it) on Fox Sports 1 (chl. 93 on TWC) at 12:30am Saturday to see what it's like.
http://www.fiaformulae.com/

TT

[Mike]

TT was it cheese?

http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/07/25/ ... formula-e/

Crash on the last lap looked avoidable?
http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/fo ... ins-091314

[ttweed]

TT was it cheese?
http://www.grandprix247.com/2014/07/25/ ... formula-e/

Yeah, if F1 is steak, then Fe is definitely cheese. It's spec racing, really--not the same show, but it is still motorsport, for sure, just not as exciting. The cars are power, range, and grip limited, but I'd love to drive one.

Crash on the last lap looked avoidable?
http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/fo ... ins-091314

Definitely avoidable. Heidfeld had a full overlap and Prost just didn't see him or didn't care. I would have penalized him for avoidable contact if I was a steward.

TT

[rshon]

O.K., I sat down and watched it. A couple of observations:

1) Cars seem "slow-ish". On board cameras show roughly 150 kph down the straight. Roughly 200 hp in race mode for an ~1800 lb car (700 lbs of which is batteries).

2) Treaded dry/wet tires with "low-profile" sidewalls (like the ones Pirelli wanted to put on F1 in the future).

3) Aerodynamically, definitely a low-drag, low-down force design. Prost (who qualified on pole) definitely looked like he was set up for more rear down force than a lot of the people who were behind him (fast in the corners vs. fast on the straights?). Might be using DC motors, as the cars show a lot of squirt coming out of the low-speed corners.

4) Drive 18 minutes/13 laps and then get into another car? Really?

As far as Prost's last corner "move", in the on-board shot, you can clearly see him looking twice into his right mirror (Heidfeld was coming on the left). I don't know if it was a factor, but they were both looking straight into the setting sun right before the last corner, and Prost was wearing a clear visor. Maybe Prost was trying to throw a (very late) block, not thinking that Heidfeld was already alongside.

All in all, a "modest" beginning to the future. Close your eyes and it sounds a lot like slot car racing -- but with gears (if you're too young to know what slot cars are, what are you doing in this club? ).

[ttweed]

By some people, at least, the event appears to be considered a success, considering its state of infancy:
http://news.yahoo.com/first-formula-e-race-shockingly-electrifying-143727160.html

I have to say that I thought the production values of the telecast were atrocious, especially the sound. I could barely hear the announcers at times--it was like they amplified the (lack of) track sounds in the mix and masked the commentary. Obviously, there is a lot of room for improvement, and it will be interesting to see what kind of interest they can generate at venues other than China.

TT

[Mike]

I have to say that I thought the production values of the telecast were atrocious, especially the sound. I could barely hear the announcers at times--it was like they amplified the (lack of) track sounds in the mix and masked the commentary. Obviously, there is a lot of room for improvement, and it will be interesting to see what kind of interest they can generate at venues other than China.
TT

Agree the cars sounded like electric RC cars, they need to get some tires that squeal or make a little more noise.
Then find a couple of golf announcers, to whisper as the cars glide down the straights and through the corners. lol
Some wicked narrow turns only wide enough for 1 car too?
TT peak charge that Leaf get your momentum up and get that thing over the Coronado bridge to the races this weekend...

[Jad]

Not sure why they do the car change. Tesla can do a ~1 minute battery swap, why not just have a long pit stop and swap batteries?

Also, stick some real tires on the cars for higher speeds.

Entertaining already knowing a lot of the players.

The sound of the announcers was annoying.

My DVR cut off the last half a lap Prost should get a penalty. That was bad and dangerous.

Hopefully this evolves well.

[Greg Phillips]

Not sure why they do the car change. Tesla can do a ~1 minute battery swap, why not just have a long pit stop and swap batteries?

Also, stick some real tires on the cars for higher speeds.

Entertaining already knowing a lot of the players.

The sound of the announcers was annoying.

My DVR cut off the last half a lap Prost should get a penalty. That was bad and dangerous.

Hopefully this evolves well.

I was also surprised they did not have a system for battery swaps.

It may be that the packaging for a formula car dose not lend itself to making the battery accessible and it may also be that they are concerned about the high voltages and risks??
There have been some problems with the F1 cars and electricity leaking out

Greg