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.