Spring is here and the beginning of another wonderful race season is under way. International Motor Sports Association and Le Mans have collaborated to create United SportsCar Championship and with a successful season opener at Sebring, Florida, the merge has eliminated any skepticism from fans. Nascar has already made its way through four races. Last week Formula One completed its season opener in Melbourne, Australia, and the Indy Car series will begin next weekend here at Saint Petersburg, Florida. There is, however, one sanction that has not begun yet and will not till this fall. This series is called Formula E, an entire race sequence devoted to developing and racing all electric vehicles.
Formula E has been a multi-year project that has been picked up and placed on the back burner by many racing entrepreneurs. Like the social stigmas of electric cars in our modern society, the belief that there is no place for electric vehicles in racing is commonly held. Many of the organic elements of racing do not transfer to the electric counterparts. The raw performance of petrol motors, force induced or naturally aspirated, the obsessive decibel outputs, the notable revs through the entire power band; these are all dynamics that are favored by many fans and lost through the paradigm shift.
Despite the differences in organics, there is one reality that cannot be ignored. The petroleum engine is inefficient and costs are increasing rapidly for innovation and maintenance in the racing domain. A new power plant is in demand in hopes to save the interest of racing for many. Racecars have come a long way since they first began. In just a few decades, racecars have improved in speed, handling, safety, and power. No matter the series, the cars have always taken a step forward into the future. Series regulations implemented rules to see that every team had an equal opportunity to succeed. Regulations also promoted innovation from teams to constantly evaluate, research and develop what finances allowed. The engine is one department that has gone through many changes in its life time. From 100hp 4 cylinders, to 1,000hp 12 cylinders, engine production, research and development has been across the entire board of innovation. Despite the wide range of capabilities the past has shown, the belief that petroleum motors has reached a ceiling has become prevalent to many entrepreneurs. However, because the motor has always been a foreground to racing, the idea of it being replaced by an electric variety seems like a regressing step backwards for many enthusiasts.
The development of electric racecars has created polar beliefs and values amongst enthusiasts. Some believe this will be the demise of the racing community. For others, this will be the foreground that propels interest into the future exponentially. Though Formula E is not here yet, it is close. So close, that as the regular race season comes to an end for many competing series and sanctions, a new sequences, a new division of racing will be taking laps around the world.
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