As with any sporting endeavour - there must be rules - or the whole thing just gets boring and then worse - it gets forgotten or written off as something of little note or useful to many.
So...Following are a list of "Rules & Guidelines" that i would look at implementing into my Electric/Hybrid race series.
This is by no means an extensive list of rules - and could be considered a work in progress...but its a start...
If you have some rule suggestions - please let me know
1. Initially car chassis to be based on a single seat, open wheel configuration with Aerodynamic designs to feature.
2. All Cars must be powered by and Electric/Hybrid engine/generator
2a. There maybe different classes with different power output limits - but the open wheel "hi end" of the sport could all be limited to a maximum power output per lap/race.
3. Technical partners in all teams would be free to exploit the different forms of EH systems currently available - like solar, hydrogen cell, KERS and petrol/electric and encouraged to take these technologies to the next level - through investment from partner teams, energy producers and universities around the world.
4. Battery manufacturers could be encouraged and offered incentives (by the FIA?) to develop a fast charge, low weight mass production power storage system in-conjunction with car manufacturers and teams.
4a. Universities may choose to focus on one or a number of the technical areas - but perhaps they would be better left to designing the power generation systems with teams.
5. Energy companies - currently responsible for providing the worlds ability to switch on a light or cook on the electric stove would/should be encouraged to join in supporting teams and universities by providing development funding for electric/hybrid transportation. They will, after all, reap the benefits when mass production begins. Tell me what energy company would not like to be the new SHELL or BP in the future?
And become that by demonstrating now - their commitment to the environment and the future of world "mobility" as the FIA like to call it....by standing at the forefront of this kind of series.
6. By discussion - events could be varied and provide a number of tests for the vehicles to undertake each race weekend.
These could include things like: A normal race over a set amount of laps, Acceleration and braking tests. For technical boffins: A test/measurement of the kilowatt output of each teams entry over a given test - vs - the drain/recovery time of on board power systems over the same period. In this way - we will see who is generating the most amount of power with the least effort as well as how much of that generated power is lost and recovered under testing conditions.
7. Testing.... The more i think about it... the more i believe that certain tests need to be done using cars that are/will be available on the market now or in the future.
A battery will only perform to its best depending on the load conditions it is placed under.
That is to say - the Electric/hybrid/Battery (EHB) power system in an open wheel style race vehicle - will perform differently to a Toyota Prius around the same track, no matter how tricked up the engine is.
They will use different amounts of power...and the "load" will be placed on the batteries for different amounts of time changing the performance considerably - one presumes.
One has to presume because very little comparison testing has been done between the Toyota F1 car and a Toyota Prius - towing a caravan.
But you get the point.
The same can be said of the performance difference you could expect from the same EHB power source if it was expected to not only push/pull a 5 seater passenger car, but also haul a tandem trailer with all the occupants bags on it. They need the trailer because the boot if full of batteries!
8. Length and Width Rules.
Ideally - when you build an open wheel single seater race car - you want your centre of gravity as low as possible. Like floor pan low. You also want as wide a "track" or width on the vehicle as possible because it allows you to lower the centre of gravity even more - while increasing stability on the road.
Clearly - we dont want to re-design vehicles so that they will not fit on current, generally accepted road widths. It will be difficult to enlist government support in a car building program that build cars that are too wide for the existing road systems and they have to spend billions to make them wider. So....that leaves height and length of vehicle.
The 2010 F1 season will feature few rule changes - a major one being that teams will not be allowed to refuel their cars during a race. This means BIGGER fuel tanks.
What have the designers done?
Lengthened the cars to accommodate the large fuel cell required.
Maybe EHB cars could do the same?...... after all... i get 4 good days out of my lithium ion mobile phone battery - and its as thin as 3 credit cards sandwiched together and half the size of a packet of matches!
Lets wire 10,000 of them up, put them in the now un-used Toyota F1 car and see how far it goes and at what speed.
I think NOKIA or SONY ERICKSON might like that idea.....better still - with a Sth Korean GP on the way in 2011 - maybe SAMSUNG would like to sponsor the development of Lithium ion EHB power generation systems and OWN the series?
I am open to partnership offers LOL
Enough rules for now - and certainly NOT enough coffee to go on.
If you have thoughts i would LOVE to hear them.
Come back soon, bring friends and a battery
Friday, November 6, 2009
Electric Hybrid Race Cars
I have been giving this a lot of thought ... not just lately - but for the last 3 or 4 years.
With all the politics and "non-sport" related crap that Formula 1 has put itself through over the last few years - it's hard to deny that its effects have been felt at corporate, sponsor, team and promoter levels.....but these "dramas" have also had an effect on the fans.
So...why doesnt it do something good for itself and generate some positive headlines based around the teams, manufacturers and the development of "the car" into the future.
After all - is F1 not the epicentre of all things "futuristic" in the automotive world?
Toyota has announced their departure from F1 Immediately - citing the financial crisis as well as the teams lack of results over the last 8 years as the reason. This full scale abandoning of F1 done it seems only weeks after Toyota F1 Boss and FOTA VP John Howett signed the new, and legally binding Concorde agreement - essentially guaranteeing Toyota's involvement in F1 until 2012.
Stones will be cast, windows will be broken and spanners will be thrust like bayonets into the machine that is Formula One...but it will plough on regardless with the support of the FIA.
The F1 paddock, the FIA & Bernie Ecclestone along with his banker buddy partners CVC are hanging of a decision from Renault as to THEIR continued involvement in the sport as well.
After the Renault F1 team was exposed as having "manipulated" the result of the 2008 Singapore GP by having one of it drivers deliberately crash his car at a certain point in the race - enabling his team mate to take advantage of a pit stop strategy that took him from a position in the mid teens - to 1st position - the parent company has suffered HUGE public embarrassment and been forced to offer vast sums of money to the FIA, offer apologies to other teams, sponsors and fans in general.
The Renault "Crash-gate" saga - of which the parent company knew NOTHING - has bosses scratching their heads as to how to make things right again.
Should they hold their head high and press on in F1, in the knowledge that they have cleaned out the bad eggs (with the FIA's help) from their team, they have good drivers locked into good contracts and they have an engine that in spite of the factory team not making best use of it - has seen supply partner Red Bull have their best season ever - finishing 2nd in the both the world Drivers and Constructors Championships in 2009.
Red bull had been chasing a deal with Mercedes Benz - but the rumour is that deal was blocked by McLaren who have an extensive contract not to mention shared ownership with the Germans.
So the second choice for Renault Boss Carlos Grohn is to remove the Renault F1 race team completely , thereby saving the company some millions of $ per year....AND continuing with the engine supply deal for Red Bull Racing, thereby MAKING money from the sport.
Of course the Renault board might also decide to get out altogether....Leaving RBR with no engines at all...and F1 with another manufacturer on the ever growing pile of rotting carcasses on the steps of the FIA offices.
So...what has all this to do with electric hybrid race cars i hear you ask.
Well....
F1 needs new business partners as well as manufacturers to become involved in the worlds premier motor sports category. AND - the sport needs new fans
THE WORLD needs a sport that is pushing the boundaries of speed, safety and technology while advancing the development of eco friendly ways to do it.
Ferrari Boss Luca di Montezolomo also happens to be head of FOTA - the Formula One Teams Association. He has been pushing for the introduction of a 3rd car per team - to help maintain grid integrity should some of the new teams entering the 2010 season not actually make the 1st race.
Most other teams are resisting the 3rd car idea - mainly on costs..... however...
What if the 3rd car per team had to be an electric/hybrid?
Right now - the general car buying public is skeptical about the performance of E/H vehicles. lets face it - the Toyota Prius isn't exactly setting the world alight with its pace. But it does make some significant advances into the use of alternative power.
I am not an engineer. I dont know what is required to build an Electric Hybrid race car. I assume that one of the significant issues that needs to be delt with is weight. A boot load of batteries can tend to be reasonably heavy....not to mention the space required.
Right now there are 26 A1gp cars sitting locked up in a warehouse in the UK - that may never see a race track again - due to the on going legal issues and non payment of bills associated with the A1GP company.
What about if a few energy companies were to buy those cars and farm them out to 26 of the best automotive design & electrical engineering universities across the world....and give these institutions access to F1 teams, designers, developers and aero gurus so that the 3rd car raced on event weekends is electric hybrid. Showing the way of the future.
We dont have to have 300kph EH race cars.
ENDURANCE is also a key point in all of this.
There is no point in being able to go 300kph if you can only do so for a few kilometres before you need to recharge.
Races might be more like "trials" with the EH cars needing to perform a certain set of "tests" with the performance of each compared to get a race "winner"
Battery makers would be encouraged to enter the development of the sport - making smaller, lighter more powerful energy storage systems - capable of fitting in a F1 style chassis.
Car makers would be encouraged to make better faster safer EH vehicles for the worlds mobility needs earlier than current indicators predict and as stated in previous posts.... a series like this gives the worlds "concerned, eco-friendly, environmentally aware corporations " a very good place to not only promote their own business - but expand it exponentially through the development and racing of Electric Hybrid vehicles.
So....whats needed?
I have been giving that some thought too - but it requires another coffee before the the telling.
Come back soon.....and bring a friend.
With all the politics and "non-sport" related crap that Formula 1 has put itself through over the last few years - it's hard to deny that its effects have been felt at corporate, sponsor, team and promoter levels.....but these "dramas" have also had an effect on the fans.
So...why doesnt it do something good for itself and generate some positive headlines based around the teams, manufacturers and the development of "the car" into the future.
After all - is F1 not the epicentre of all things "futuristic" in the automotive world?
Toyota has announced their departure from F1 Immediately - citing the financial crisis as well as the teams lack of results over the last 8 years as the reason. This full scale abandoning of F1 done it seems only weeks after Toyota F1 Boss and FOTA VP John Howett signed the new, and legally binding Concorde agreement - essentially guaranteeing Toyota's involvement in F1 until 2012.
Stones will be cast, windows will be broken and spanners will be thrust like bayonets into the machine that is Formula One...but it will plough on regardless with the support of the FIA.
The F1 paddock, the FIA & Bernie Ecclestone along with his banker buddy partners CVC are hanging of a decision from Renault as to THEIR continued involvement in the sport as well.
After the Renault F1 team was exposed as having "manipulated" the result of the 2008 Singapore GP by having one of it drivers deliberately crash his car at a certain point in the race - enabling his team mate to take advantage of a pit stop strategy that took him from a position in the mid teens - to 1st position - the parent company has suffered HUGE public embarrassment and been forced to offer vast sums of money to the FIA, offer apologies to other teams, sponsors and fans in general.
The Renault "Crash-gate" saga - of which the parent company knew NOTHING - has bosses scratching their heads as to how to make things right again.
Should they hold their head high and press on in F1, in the knowledge that they have cleaned out the bad eggs (with the FIA's help) from their team, they have good drivers locked into good contracts and they have an engine that in spite of the factory team not making best use of it - has seen supply partner Red Bull have their best season ever - finishing 2nd in the both the world Drivers and Constructors Championships in 2009.
Red bull had been chasing a deal with Mercedes Benz - but the rumour is that deal was blocked by McLaren who have an extensive contract not to mention shared ownership with the Germans.
So the second choice for Renault Boss Carlos Grohn is to remove the Renault F1 race team completely , thereby saving the company some millions of $ per year....AND continuing with the engine supply deal for Red Bull Racing, thereby MAKING money from the sport.
Of course the Renault board might also decide to get out altogether....Leaving RBR with no engines at all...and F1 with another manufacturer on the ever growing pile of rotting carcasses on the steps of the FIA offices.
So...what has all this to do with electric hybrid race cars i hear you ask.
Well....
F1 needs new business partners as well as manufacturers to become involved in the worlds premier motor sports category. AND - the sport needs new fans
THE WORLD needs a sport that is pushing the boundaries of speed, safety and technology while advancing the development of eco friendly ways to do it.
Ferrari Boss Luca di Montezolomo also happens to be head of FOTA - the Formula One Teams Association. He has been pushing for the introduction of a 3rd car per team - to help maintain grid integrity should some of the new teams entering the 2010 season not actually make the 1st race.
Most other teams are resisting the 3rd car idea - mainly on costs..... however...
What if the 3rd car per team had to be an electric/hybrid?
Right now - the general car buying public is skeptical about the performance of E/H vehicles. lets face it - the Toyota Prius isn't exactly setting the world alight with its pace. But it does make some significant advances into the use of alternative power.
I am not an engineer. I dont know what is required to build an Electric Hybrid race car. I assume that one of the significant issues that needs to be delt with is weight. A boot load of batteries can tend to be reasonably heavy....not to mention the space required.
Right now there are 26 A1gp cars sitting locked up in a warehouse in the UK - that may never see a race track again - due to the on going legal issues and non payment of bills associated with the A1GP company.
What about if a few energy companies were to buy those cars and farm them out to 26 of the best automotive design & electrical engineering universities across the world....and give these institutions access to F1 teams, designers, developers and aero gurus so that the 3rd car raced on event weekends is electric hybrid. Showing the way of the future.
We dont have to have 300kph EH race cars.
ENDURANCE is also a key point in all of this.
There is no point in being able to go 300kph if you can only do so for a few kilometres before you need to recharge.
Races might be more like "trials" with the EH cars needing to perform a certain set of "tests" with the performance of each compared to get a race "winner"
Battery makers would be encouraged to enter the development of the sport - making smaller, lighter more powerful energy storage systems - capable of fitting in a F1 style chassis.
Car makers would be encouraged to make better faster safer EH vehicles for the worlds mobility needs earlier than current indicators predict and as stated in previous posts.... a series like this gives the worlds "concerned, eco-friendly, environmentally aware corporations " a very good place to not only promote their own business - but expand it exponentially through the development and racing of Electric Hybrid vehicles.
So....whats needed?
I have been giving that some thought too - but it requires another coffee before the the telling.
Come back soon.....and bring a friend.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
New FIA President - Same Old Goals
Ok....
Got the coffee
Got the salt & Vinegar French Chips to munch on.
Got the bee out of my bonnet and its in a jar here on the desk in front of me looking very angry and threatening.
Parts of the world would be mildly aware that we have recently had an election for a GLOBAL leader.
This "duly elected official" becomes the head of an organisation that is responsible for just about everything when it comes to automobiles - in the world. It is called the FIA. The Federal International du something for Automobiles.
Dont worry about it....you were not allowed to vote. Thats ANOTHER story
The FIA's "duly elected" OTHER officials are responsible for forming committees that look at ways to improve the worlds "mobility" needs now and into the future.
We dont see too much of them here in Australia - but if you believe recent reports - the FIA is keeping 3 quarters of Africa employed and the other quarter are building roads - presumably avoiding the local lion population - so they can get the hell out of there and onto the 1st boat heading anywhere BUT an African port.
The FIA also talks with the car makers - overseeing things like safety upgrades to vehicle standards around the world and pushing "mobility manufacturers" (car makers) to increase eco-friendly engine specs - to help stretch out the worlds oil reserves.
The inference being - we will be able to stay mobile longer and in more comfortably safe ways
Now...Formula One....
For as long as i can remember F1 has prided itself on the development of new technology that had application to every day road use further down the track. Thats why the manufacturers like it...and it has been competition between them flourish as a result.
Traction control
Fuel cell protection
Impact protection
Anti Lock Brakes
Even 4WD - all pioneered on a race track holding an event branded "Formula One"
Today - i am sure that many advancements are being made by teams and manufacturers in LOTS of areas - but one area that they are only just now looking at....(after a letter to all of them from me???) is electric/hybrid cars.
Now the questions for FIA BOSS Jean Todt.
I find these have to be put in a certain way - or no-one understands what you are talking about.....dont know...maybe thats French too.
As i am laying all this out for you Mr Todt - I will also expect an appropriate share of both the commercial and broadcast rights for any "future" series....but before we can have that - we need to know the answers to a few questions:
1. Why does the FIA continue to push car makers to increase economy and dependence on fossil fueled mobility units. (Trans: Why does FIA continue to push the development of the petrol/diesel engine?
2. Why doesnt the FIA instigate a NEW race series - open to all Formula One Teams - Partnered with Universities around the world and based on a 3rd car per team model - powered 100% by electric/hybrid means and sponsored by the teams, manufacturers, universities and "green" corporate donations?
Practice, Qually and a race could be held on the Saturday of the main GP event....taking advantage of the existing teams fan base for support.
The future IS Electric/Hybrid cars
Right now in South Africa - they have developed a Petrol/electric hybrid capable of 200kph top speed with 2000km endurance before needing a re-charge of electricity, hydrogen, petrol or anything else.
Please read this article from a mate who writes for a very creditable online publication in Souht Africa - Thanks Nick - and BE AMAZED : http://www.autodealer.co.za/node/2f67efdbf95bebcb84208b4130b0c5b4/
There are NUMEROUS electric/hybrid DRAG bikes running low 7sec quarter mile passes - and only getting faster.
I for one would like to see 26 Electric Hybrid cars racing around as support to the Main F1 Show....
And if not there.....then at an event totally dedicated to car and bike racing - as long as its electric/hybrid.
I am keen to set up such a series.
.
1....its VERY interesting
2...Cars & Bikes would be VERY quiet (Think on-going racing at places like SPA - currently fighting for its life because the new neighbors dont like the noise the historically significant track generates on a few occasions a year. Idiots......they live near the french you know..)
3. Corporate interest from the "green" sector could only increase - and substantially i suspect.
4. It will give all the complaining "greenies" a place to funnel the money they raise shaking a bucket on the street corners. Ad to that the money they save not buying razors, shampoo and soap and they might be able to afford a stake in battery operated wheel gun - sponsored by BOSCH - in a team.
5. It WOULD increase attendance at F1 events - by opening motorsport up to the portion of the community that has hitherto ignored it or written it off as the smelly, dirty, noisy sport for rich boys with no regard for the environment.
Sure - make the series Carbon Neutral, plant some trees that will grow for about 25 years before they are cleared so a new housing estate can be built and the new occupants can complain about the noise coming over the back fence....threatening the tracks entire existance......OR...take a stance now and start developing and racing electric hybrid cars. Use them as a support to your main event.....for one day they WILL BE the main event.....and gove yourself some ammo in the on going fight over who is doing what for the environment. What i am proposing here is a VERY BIG gun inthat respect.
Mr Todt.
Todty....Maaaaate
Why arent you getting the manufacturers involved - rather than just pushing the same old 'party line"?
If i had the money - i would start setting this race category up today!
If you, dear reader, are interested in joining me in this - please make contact.
I think major universities around the world would support a program where their students get to work with cutting edge tools to make cutting edge and competitive "mobility units" that will take us MUCH FURTHER into the future - alot further and for much LESS COST than using fossil fuels until they are sucked drier than a Nigerian road maker at midday.
Ad to that the allure of their students being able to work with TOP design and manufacturing teams from the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Fiat as well as potential interest from Audi, BMW, Aston Martin and many more of the biggest names in car making and you have a series of significant world interest - with even more potentual for mass production car sales.
Surely, someone reading this is - or knows someone who is - involved in a University.
Ask them (or yourself) what chance of success a funding proposal to an MAJOR energy company would have of gaining support - if it offered local & worldwide exposure to their products and services via a partnerhip with a leading car manufacturer and F1 race team exposure?
What advantage/profits could a major energy company gain from an association with the development, racing and eventual mass production of electric/hybrid cars - in its own country - and globally (as energy companies grow into larger multi national conglomerates) and how could it maximize its returns by investing in university grants specifically geared to their "future" business?
Energy manufacturers could rightly claim a % of each car sold by a manufacturer - using technology developed in race/manufacturer teams it supports through funding at team, manufacturer or university level.
Lets face it - the worlds patience with fossil fuel will run out LONG before the fossil fuel does.... and thats not THAT far away.
Isnt it about time that the WORLD BODY REPRESENTING EVERYTHING TO DO WITH MOBILITY & MOTORSPORTS starts pushing for a series like this?
- instead of aiding and abetting the future fortunes of those with the most to make out of fossil fuel production?
Will you, Jean Todt, continue the lack of official interest in Electric/Hybrid fuels so you can prolong the worlds suckling upon the oil tit of life and expand the fortunes of those who have the most to gain from your lack for "future thinking?"
Will you push for a developmental race series in support of the current F1 format, supported by teams, manufacturers, the FIA and prestigious Universities like Harvard, Cambridge, MIT in the states and others in a number of countries around the world.
Will you approach the worlds leading energy producers and offer them the ability to support and promote themselves - and the future of "mobility" worldwide via a series like i have outlined?
Or... will you continue with the "same old same old" and hold out until our Arab friends have no money left to build 22nd century F1 stadia...(thank you for doing so - its BRILLIANT)...and the other countries have run out of money to pay Bernie for the sanctioning fee?
I am serious about getting an electric/hybrid race series together.
Its the BEST CHANCE any manufacturer has of getting back to those heady "Win on Sunday - Sell On Monday" days of car sales.
Seriously.....
Call me....
I have people that can do things with your people....and if we are lucky we will be invited to watch .... :)
Buggar...Coffee is cold..........and just like their namesake.....the french chips have disappeared - nowhere to be seen.....go figure........I dont remember eating them......i guess Hitler could have said that as well.
Got the coffee
Got the salt & Vinegar French Chips to munch on.
Got the bee out of my bonnet and its in a jar here on the desk in front of me looking very angry and threatening.
Parts of the world would be mildly aware that we have recently had an election for a GLOBAL leader.
This "duly elected official" becomes the head of an organisation that is responsible for just about everything when it comes to automobiles - in the world. It is called the FIA. The Federal International du something for Automobiles.
Dont worry about it....you were not allowed to vote. Thats ANOTHER story
The FIA's "duly elected" OTHER officials are responsible for forming committees that look at ways to improve the worlds "mobility" needs now and into the future.
We dont see too much of them here in Australia - but if you believe recent reports - the FIA is keeping 3 quarters of Africa employed and the other quarter are building roads - presumably avoiding the local lion population - so they can get the hell out of there and onto the 1st boat heading anywhere BUT an African port.
The FIA also talks with the car makers - overseeing things like safety upgrades to vehicle standards around the world and pushing "mobility manufacturers" (car makers) to increase eco-friendly engine specs - to help stretch out the worlds oil reserves.
The inference being - we will be able to stay mobile longer and in more comfortably safe ways
Now...Formula One....
For as long as i can remember F1 has prided itself on the development of new technology that had application to every day road use further down the track. Thats why the manufacturers like it...and it has been competition between them flourish as a result.
Traction control
Fuel cell protection
Impact protection
Anti Lock Brakes
Even 4WD - all pioneered on a race track holding an event branded "Formula One"
Today - i am sure that many advancements are being made by teams and manufacturers in LOTS of areas - but one area that they are only just now looking at....(after a letter to all of them from me???) is electric/hybrid cars.
Now the questions for FIA BOSS Jean Todt.
I find these have to be put in a certain way - or no-one understands what you are talking about.....dont know...maybe thats French too.
As i am laying all this out for you Mr Todt - I will also expect an appropriate share of both the commercial and broadcast rights for any "future" series....but before we can have that - we need to know the answers to a few questions:
1. Why does the FIA continue to push car makers to increase economy and dependence on fossil fueled mobility units. (Trans: Why does FIA continue to push the development of the petrol/diesel engine?
2. Why doesnt the FIA instigate a NEW race series - open to all Formula One Teams - Partnered with Universities around the world and based on a 3rd car per team model - powered 100% by electric/hybrid means and sponsored by the teams, manufacturers, universities and "green" corporate donations?
Practice, Qually and a race could be held on the Saturday of the main GP event....taking advantage of the existing teams fan base for support.
The future IS Electric/Hybrid cars
Right now in South Africa - they have developed a Petrol/electric hybrid capable of 200kph top speed with 2000km endurance before needing a re-charge of electricity, hydrogen, petrol or anything else.
Please read this article from a mate who writes for a very creditable online publication in Souht Africa - Thanks Nick - and BE AMAZED : http://www.autodealer.co.za/node/2f67efdbf95bebcb84208b4130b0c5b4/
There are NUMEROUS electric/hybrid DRAG bikes running low 7sec quarter mile passes - and only getting faster.
I for one would like to see 26 Electric Hybrid cars racing around as support to the Main F1 Show....
And if not there.....then at an event totally dedicated to car and bike racing - as long as its electric/hybrid.
I am keen to set up such a series.
.
1....its VERY interesting
2...Cars & Bikes would be VERY quiet (Think on-going racing at places like SPA - currently fighting for its life because the new neighbors dont like the noise the historically significant track generates on a few occasions a year. Idiots......they live near the french you know..)
3. Corporate interest from the "green" sector could only increase - and substantially i suspect.
4. It will give all the complaining "greenies" a place to funnel the money they raise shaking a bucket on the street corners. Ad to that the money they save not buying razors, shampoo and soap and they might be able to afford a stake in battery operated wheel gun - sponsored by BOSCH - in a team.
5. It WOULD increase attendance at F1 events - by opening motorsport up to the portion of the community that has hitherto ignored it or written it off as the smelly, dirty, noisy sport for rich boys with no regard for the environment.
Sure - make the series Carbon Neutral, plant some trees that will grow for about 25 years before they are cleared so a new housing estate can be built and the new occupants can complain about the noise coming over the back fence....threatening the tracks entire existance......OR...take a stance now and start developing and racing electric hybrid cars. Use them as a support to your main event.....for one day they WILL BE the main event.....and gove yourself some ammo in the on going fight over who is doing what for the environment. What i am proposing here is a VERY BIG gun inthat respect.
Mr Todt.
Todty....Maaaaate
Why arent you getting the manufacturers involved - rather than just pushing the same old 'party line"?
If i had the money - i would start setting this race category up today!
If you, dear reader, are interested in joining me in this - please make contact.
I think major universities around the world would support a program where their students get to work with cutting edge tools to make cutting edge and competitive "mobility units" that will take us MUCH FURTHER into the future - alot further and for much LESS COST than using fossil fuels until they are sucked drier than a Nigerian road maker at midday.
Ad to that the allure of their students being able to work with TOP design and manufacturing teams from the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Fiat as well as potential interest from Audi, BMW, Aston Martin and many more of the biggest names in car making and you have a series of significant world interest - with even more potentual for mass production car sales.
Surely, someone reading this is - or knows someone who is - involved in a University.
Ask them (or yourself) what chance of success a funding proposal to an MAJOR energy company would have of gaining support - if it offered local & worldwide exposure to their products and services via a partnerhip with a leading car manufacturer and F1 race team exposure?
What advantage/profits could a major energy company gain from an association with the development, racing and eventual mass production of electric/hybrid cars - in its own country - and globally (as energy companies grow into larger multi national conglomerates) and how could it maximize its returns by investing in university grants specifically geared to their "future" business?
Energy manufacturers could rightly claim a % of each car sold by a manufacturer - using technology developed in race/manufacturer teams it supports through funding at team, manufacturer or university level.
Lets face it - the worlds patience with fossil fuel will run out LONG before the fossil fuel does.... and thats not THAT far away.
Isnt it about time that the WORLD BODY REPRESENTING EVERYTHING TO DO WITH MOBILITY & MOTORSPORTS starts pushing for a series like this?
- instead of aiding and abetting the future fortunes of those with the most to make out of fossil fuel production?
Will you, Jean Todt, continue the lack of official interest in Electric/Hybrid fuels so you can prolong the worlds suckling upon the oil tit of life and expand the fortunes of those who have the most to gain from your lack for "future thinking?"
Will you push for a developmental race series in support of the current F1 format, supported by teams, manufacturers, the FIA and prestigious Universities like Harvard, Cambridge, MIT in the states and others in a number of countries around the world.
Will you approach the worlds leading energy producers and offer them the ability to support and promote themselves - and the future of "mobility" worldwide via a series like i have outlined?
Or... will you continue with the "same old same old" and hold out until our Arab friends have no money left to build 22nd century F1 stadia...(thank you for doing so - its BRILLIANT)...and the other countries have run out of money to pay Bernie for the sanctioning fee?
I am serious about getting an electric/hybrid race series together.
Its the BEST CHANCE any manufacturer has of getting back to those heady "Win on Sunday - Sell On Monday" days of car sales.
Seriously.....
Call me....
I have people that can do things with your people....and if we are lucky we will be invited to watch .... :)
Buggar...Coffee is cold..........and just like their namesake.....the french chips have disappeared - nowhere to be seen.....go figure........I dont remember eating them......i guess Hitler could have said that as well.
Its Been Awhile
Its been awhile - and for that i am sorry. Life got in the way....
I have made a new "blog-olution"
I WILL write more. I will leave it up to you and if you decide to read more of what i promise to write more of - we should get along famously.
When we left off - i was ranting at Max Mosley for his stance on budgets and F1.
History now shows the teams banded together, beat MM into a form of submission he was comfortable with (parallel intended) - announced his resignation and we now have a new Captain at the wheel of the good ship FIA - Former Ferrari team Boss and knight in shining armour for Michael Schumaker - Jean Todt.
Yep - The French man. (why is it the French can win political wars - but then it comes to the real thing they roll over like fat Labrador's after eating the left overs from Sunday roast)
Forget the back story i should have written for this blog over the last 6 months or more...Ari lost - JT won - the jury is still out on what (if any) influence Max Mosley will have over the presidency of his "anointed" successor......but i have some questions that i would like him answer.....should he ever find his way here to my little part of the world.
I'll save them for the next post...
Right now we are at the end of the 2009 F1 season filled with controversy, intrigue, scandal and "gates".
We have also seen the most comprehensive re-ordering of the grid in recent memory - with teams like Red Bull and "our Mark" Webber finally reaching the top step of the podium (Twice in Webbers case - and the MP3 team channel audio of "our Mark" crossing the line to win his first Grand Prix in Germany - available at www.markwebber.com is a MUST LISTEN for any Aussie that has supported or watched/hoped for him during his career in F1 thus far)
Brawn GP not only started the year with less kms on their car than the average Japanese car coming off the ship at Melbourne Port has....but they had no sponsor. Enter Richard Branson. Briefly.
(There was a LARGE runour at the time that on the vening of the race win in Melbourne's 1st race of the season. Mr Branson was making more than just eyes at Mr. Buttons significant other..... Thats taking Team/Sponsor relations to a new level...unless you are the head of another (french?) team of course....or were......as the case now is....confused?.......Yes....it get s liek that sometimes)
But that didn't stop Brawn winning - and coming second - in their 1st race...and 2nd and 3rd - in fact Jenson won 6 of the first 7 races...cheeky buggar
How must HONDA have felt?
Hundreds of millions of dollars invested in their F1 team - only to pull out and watch the new owners use all that HONDA chassis and aero development and fit it to a Mercedes Engine. And Win. A lot....in the early stages of the season
Now.....it could be said that Brawn had an advantage with their double diffuser.
But the delight in all that was the absolute defence of Ross Brawn - when he presented evidence that he not only made the other teams aware that there was an avenue of potential exploration available within the rules - but argued to have that avenue closed via a rule amendment in the months leading up to the 2009 season starting
The other teams didn't think it necessary to close the loophole - or go to work on exploiting it them selves it seems.....as they all screamed like lepers losing a limb
Brawn wins the court case - and as it turned out the Constructors championship for 2009.... on the rookie teams 1st try.
Now that IS impressive.....don't you think so Mr HONDA?
Surely the engine didn't make ALL the difference?
"Our Mark was in with a shot at the World Championship Title. For awhile anyway......and i don't mean at the start of the season.
But for some bad luck with engines and gearboxes - "Our Mark" could have been challenging for the top spot right along with his team mate Seb Vettel.
Once again - Renault (another French mob that threw themselves on the floor in surrender at the foot the FIA recently - and secretively i might ad....but that's another blog entirely) will be supplying the power for Red Bull in 2010.
As much as the french may not know how to fight a war....they make pretty good engines - fast.
Presumidly this comes from years of running away from everything....the faster the better.
Lets hope that the penny drops shortly - you also need reliability - or no matter how fast you are to start with, the Panzer ...er...Ferrari....will catch you.
How weird was it watching Ross Brawn Cry the day they won the championship?
I mean....really....weird......nice........but in a weird way.
Maybe it was the emotion of the win under team circumstances in the lead up that were less than good.
Maybe it was the pent up emotion of putting everything on the line for something you believe in - and seeing it come off.
Maybe it was Jenson Button winning his 1st World Championship after starting his F1 career at age 5.
Or maybe it was because Kimi drove over his foot as he got the spent, flaccid Ferrari back into the garage for the last time.
It has been awhile.
My new "blog-olution" dictates that it will not be as long again......now... i need a coffee before asking our new FIA President a few questions.....come back soon.....
cheers
I have made a new "blog-olution"
I WILL write more. I will leave it up to you and if you decide to read more of what i promise to write more of - we should get along famously.
When we left off - i was ranting at Max Mosley for his stance on budgets and F1.
History now shows the teams banded together, beat MM into a form of submission he was comfortable with (parallel intended) - announced his resignation and we now have a new Captain at the wheel of the good ship FIA - Former Ferrari team Boss and knight in shining armour for Michael Schumaker - Jean Todt.
Yep - The French man. (why is it the French can win political wars - but then it comes to the real thing they roll over like fat Labrador's after eating the left overs from Sunday roast)
Forget the back story i should have written for this blog over the last 6 months or more...Ari lost - JT won - the jury is still out on what (if any) influence Max Mosley will have over the presidency of his "anointed" successor......but i have some questions that i would like him answer.....should he ever find his way here to my little part of the world.
I'll save them for the next post...
Right now we are at the end of the 2009 F1 season filled with controversy, intrigue, scandal and "gates".
We have also seen the most comprehensive re-ordering of the grid in recent memory - with teams like Red Bull and "our Mark" Webber finally reaching the top step of the podium (Twice in Webbers case - and the MP3 team channel audio of "our Mark" crossing the line to win his first Grand Prix in Germany - available at www.markwebber.com is a MUST LISTEN for any Aussie that has supported or watched/hoped for him during his career in F1 thus far)
Brawn GP not only started the year with less kms on their car than the average Japanese car coming off the ship at Melbourne Port has....but they had no sponsor. Enter Richard Branson. Briefly.
(There was a LARGE runour at the time that on the vening of the race win in Melbourne's 1st race of the season. Mr Branson was making more than just eyes at Mr. Buttons significant other..... Thats taking Team/Sponsor relations to a new level...unless you are the head of another (french?) team of course....or were......as the case now is....confused?.......Yes....it get s liek that sometimes)
But that didn't stop Brawn winning - and coming second - in their 1st race...and 2nd and 3rd - in fact Jenson won 6 of the first 7 races...cheeky buggar
How must HONDA have felt?
Hundreds of millions of dollars invested in their F1 team - only to pull out and watch the new owners use all that HONDA chassis and aero development and fit it to a Mercedes Engine. And Win. A lot....in the early stages of the season
Now.....it could be said that Brawn had an advantage with their double diffuser.
But the delight in all that was the absolute defence of Ross Brawn - when he presented evidence that he not only made the other teams aware that there was an avenue of potential exploration available within the rules - but argued to have that avenue closed via a rule amendment in the months leading up to the 2009 season starting
The other teams didn't think it necessary to close the loophole - or go to work on exploiting it them selves it seems.....as they all screamed like lepers losing a limb
Brawn wins the court case - and as it turned out the Constructors championship for 2009.... on the rookie teams 1st try.
Now that IS impressive.....don't you think so Mr HONDA?
Surely the engine didn't make ALL the difference?
"Our Mark was in with a shot at the World Championship Title. For awhile anyway......and i don't mean at the start of the season.
But for some bad luck with engines and gearboxes - "Our Mark" could have been challenging for the top spot right along with his team mate Seb Vettel.
Once again - Renault (another French mob that threw themselves on the floor in surrender at the foot the FIA recently - and secretively i might ad....but that's another blog entirely) will be supplying the power for Red Bull in 2010.
As much as the french may not know how to fight a war....they make pretty good engines - fast.
Presumidly this comes from years of running away from everything....the faster the better.
Lets hope that the penny drops shortly - you also need reliability - or no matter how fast you are to start with, the Panzer ...er...Ferrari....will catch you.
How weird was it watching Ross Brawn Cry the day they won the championship?
I mean....really....weird......nice........but in a weird way.
Maybe it was the emotion of the win under team circumstances in the lead up that were less than good.
Maybe it was the pent up emotion of putting everything on the line for something you believe in - and seeing it come off.
Maybe it was Jenson Button winning his 1st World Championship after starting his F1 career at age 5.
Or maybe it was because Kimi drove over his foot as he got the spent, flaccid Ferrari back into the garage for the last time.
It has been awhile.
My new "blog-olution" dictates that it will not be as long again......now... i need a coffee before asking our new FIA President a few questions.....come back soon.....
cheers
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