New motor racing set for big charge

Racers will bring speed and a message to the streets of Beijing

Fasten your seatbelt and get ready for the latest form of motor racing, something that promises to be electrifying for all concerned.

The first installment will take place on Sept 13 in downtown Beijing, a venue that could not be more appropriate for the occasion.

This is the Formula E Championship, a new Federation of International Automobile racing event using fully electric single-seater cars.

In the inaugural grand prix, one in a 10-city world series to be held over the following 10 months, spectators will be able to see 10 teams, each with two drivers, compete in cars powered by the latest battery technology.

Other venues include Berlin, Buenos Aires, London, Los Angeles, Putrajaya in Malaysia, and Rio de Janeiro.

Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, says the zero emissions racing will reshape traditional motor racing and promote sustainability and environmental protection globally.

"We felt that in motor sport there was a need for more sustainable development," Agag says.

"Motor sport is linked to environmental issues. We thought that setting up a championship of new technology with full electric power would be useful in fighting pollution."

Beijing makes a good showcase for such technology, having gained worldwide notoriety as one of the world's most-polluted cities.

"We know the Chinese authorities are trying to tackle the problem," Agag says. "We think electric cars are part of the solution. Starting in Beijing sends a strong message in favor of sustainability and clean mobility, which supports the fight against pollution."

Jean Todt, president of the FIA, the world governing body of motor sport, says: "This spectacular series will offer both entertainment and a new opportunity to share FIA's values for clean energy, mobility and sustainability. The FIA is definitely looking to the future."

To ensure maximum public appeal for the event in China, the organizers has included a Chinese team, and it will soon name its two drivers.

Ma Qinghua, the first Chinese driver with a Formula one license, is expected to head the Chinese team in Beijing.

"We are neutral regarding all the teams and drivers but having a successful Chinese driver will guarantee there is a large audience here," Agag says.

Liu Yu, chairman of the Chinese team, says: "We are very excited that the FIA is launching an electric car racing series and we are proud to be part of it. We also believe this is a good platform for Chinese and global electric vehicle companies to do their part to help create a sustainable planet."

In the first season of racing, each team will drive the Spark-Renault SRT_01E car, Liu says. The Chinese team aims to build its own electric racing cars within three years, supported by domestic electric-vehicle makers, he says.

The Beijing circuit will be around the Olympic Park and will be 3.44km long. It will be an anti-clockwise track with 20 turns and two main straights.

In addition, it will have an unusual U-shaped pit lane with spectator areas set inside, giving fans a close-up view of the action.

"We want to send the message that electric cars are the best cars to use in the city," Agag says.

Some motor racing enthusiasts have queried just how thrilling the new cars will be. Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone decried sound reduction measures that he said were robbing his sport of its excitement.

But Agag seems to be in no doubt about Formula E's potential for entertainment. The cars can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers an hour within 3 seconds and have a top speed of 225 km/h, he says.

"When the whole world sees 20 of these cars racing against each with top drivers at the wheel, the questions will be answered," says the Spaniard, who has long played a key role in promoting Formula one in Spain.

In a recently released video clip of a test drive, the combination of the car's screeching tires, whining engine and the noise from aerodynamic effects produced a sound comparable to that of a jet fighter taking off.

The Italian former Formula One driver driver Jarno Trulli, who did the test drive, has become a fan of the electric racing car.

"From inside the cockpit it feels like driving a proper Formula one car," said Trulli, who used to drive for Renault and Toyota in Formula one.

"The sound is different but you still hear the engine and gearbox, so in terms of feeling it's perfect for a racing driver."

In keeping with attempts in motor racing to rein in costs, Formula E has imposed a 3 million euro ($4.1 million) budget cap per season for each team per season and requires new technologies to be shared by at least three teams.

"We think this championship may be the platform to showcase new, better technologies, and then they can be implemented in road cars, changing the shape of transport," Agag says.

"That's our ultimate goal."

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 04/11/2014 page21)