In 2012, a new racing series arrives and brings with it the scream, er… whirr of electric motors. Formulec World Series officially begins next year and, as the name suggests, it is an all-electric-based motorsport series, backed by the FIA, that will have races in at least ten different host countries, including South Africa.
"Formulec represents the cutting edge of future motor-racing technology, highlighting radical new trends in motorsport while bringing them to South Africa on the African leg of this international event," said Paul Bisogno, managing director of Eco Promotions and official spokesperson for Formulec SA. "The event will take on a festival atmosphere, drawing interest from all companies involved in renewable energy and sustainable transportation. The event will also be used as a showcase for other eco motorsport events and technologies, showing South Africa's capabilities and commitment to these new technologies."
Eco Promotions is in the process of evaluating various SA cities and sites for a street race in either September or October 2012. Initial discussions with an Eco Promotions spokesperson did not reveal any further information regarding the provisional calender or the possible SA host city.
EF01 is driven by Siemens motors that are powered by Saft batteries. Power is transferred to the rear wheels by a two-speed Hewland gearbox. It has a top speed of over 250 km/h and reportedly accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in three seconds. Race times will be 20-25 minutes, depending on the racetrack, with a maximum charge time of 1,5 hours.
"This car will revive the contribution that motorsport has traditionally made to the mainstream automotive industry. We will see rapid advances in motor-battery technology and will lead the way for exciting developments in electric vehicle technologies," said Winstone Jordaan, technical director of Eco Promotions.
For the first two seasons, the championship will be run as a one-make series utilising Formulec's own EF01 car. From 2014, the Formulec World Championship will allow car manufacturers and industrialists who have developed their own electric single-seater racecar to enter the series.