The Quiet Revolution of Formula E Electric Car Racing 116
pbahra writes One of the greatest emotional triggers at any auto-racing event is the noise. In Nascar, it is the earthshaking growl of V8 American muscle. In Formula One, it is the chest-rattling wail of 15,000 rpm. To some the sound is repellent. To others it is like an opera. But what if there is no sound at all? Welcome to the quiet world of Formula E, a global racing series for electric cars, which debuts this month in Beijing.
Re:F1 is no longer screaming at 15k (Score:2, Informative)
They can run at 15k RPM this year. The change was from 18k to 15k.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One_engines#Engine_specification_progression
I think they still sound pretty nice, although not a screaming as previously.
Re:Actually... (Score:4, Informative)
And it's the most boring year for F1 ever. Unfortunately the FIA and F1 (two separate entities) didn't realize that motor racing does involve the sound of the sport and the competition. Fans have been reluctant to accept it and aren't showing up at races. This is bad news for a sport that depends on a lot of revenue from people in the stands. Apart from that the FIA in it's eco-green mentality also mandated 100KG of fuel max consumption along with a max fuel rate of 100KG/hr limiting all of the engines in terms of RPM output (read more screaming engines). This has resulted in engines that barely rev above 11000 RPMs whereas last year it was 18000. Despite FIA allowing 15000 RPM limits. Regrettably the powers haven't yet realized that motor racing has nothing to do with being eco-friendly and that will kill F1 as a sport. Oh did I forget to mention the guy who runs F1 is a criminal and just bought his way out of a bribery trial in which he could have gone to prison for $100m? Yeah that's what you want a real life Snidley Whiplash running your races, not to mention the former head of the FIA was caught getting spankings from Nazi themed prostitutes. Yeah, F1 is a mess.
Formula E is no better, actually its worse because they have proposed using twitter during races to provide extra power to the cars. Un-fucking believable.
Re:Actually... (Score:5, Informative)
And it's the most boring year for F1 ever.
I mean boring is entirely a personal judgement but... *really*? A leading team rivalry that is up there with Hunt/Lauda and Senna/Prost in its intensity, a decapitation of the reigning champion (and humiliation behind his new teammate), the resurgence of Williams, a whole bunch of new stars on the rise? A bunch of new mistakes made all across the board as drivers struggle with twitchy cars?
I don't know what F1 you've been watching but for me this year is far more interesting than the Red Bull-Vettel dominance of the last 3 years.
Re:Actually... (Score:4, Informative)
Fans have been reluctant to accept it and aren't showing up at races.
This fails the logic test. F1 only visits one country per season (with a minor exception). If this is the first season, how would anyone know what the cars sound like until they are there at the track and have paid for their ticket? If sound is to blame for poor crowds, then any impact wouldn't be felt until next season after crowds have had a chance to hear them at least once. I've been to a couple of F1s. The interest is usually dictated by driver personalities. It goes up when you have the likes of Schumacher and Senna, then wanes with the likes of Vettel, and Alonso.