Jag to enter Formula E

[sirtyro]

So not only are they looking at buying Silverstone, they are now also going to announce a Formula E entry. I think they would have had more exposure and road relevant technology in entering WEC but I guess this is a clear sign on where they think the motoring industry is heading.

http://news.sky.com/story/1603339/jaguar-sparks-el...

[AnotherClarkey]

I know that formula E is in it's infancy and derided by many but the growing level of of participation from car manufacturers may give Bernie cause for a twitch or two.

[sirtyro]

Until Formula E can run at proper tracks, I don't think it will ever get the attention that they want it to get. Truli's team is leaving and either he is doing that because he has run out of money or doesn't like it, plus the London council tried to ban the London event, so I still think they have lots of hurdles to jump before they get to where it needs to be to threaten Bernie

[Composite Guru]

Lets just hope it goes better than their effort in F1.

[AnotherClarkey]

sirtyro said:

Until Formula E can run at proper tracks, I don't think it will ever get the attention that they want it to get. Truli's team is leaving and either he is doing that because he has run out of money or doesn't like it, plus the London council tried to ban the London event, so I still think they have lots of hurdles to jump before they get to where it needs to be to threaten Bernie

When did the council try to ban it? They have just confirmed Battersea Park for a further two years, admittedly after a couple of protests from NIMBYish residents who seem to think that they alone own a public park.

I, for one, like the city centre locations and don't ever want to see them race on dull Tilkedromes in the middle of nowhere.

The other thing that may give Bernie pause for thought is that the last Formula E race had higher TV viewing figures in the USA than any F1 race this year.

Edited by AnotherClarkey on Friday 11th December 10:34

Edited by AnotherClarkey on Friday 11th December 12:32

[designndrive62]

AnotherClarkey said:

sirtyro said:

Until Formula E can run at proper tracks, I don't think it will ever get the attention that they want it to get. Truli's team is leaving and either he is doing that because he has run out of money or doesn't like it, plus the London council tried to ban the London event, so I still think they have lots of hurdles to jump before they get to where it needs to be to threaten Bernie

When did the council try to ban it? They have just confirmed Battersea Park for a further two years, admittedly after a couple of protests from NIMBYish residents who seem to think that they alone own a public park.

I, for one, like the city centre locations and don't ever to see them race on dull Tilkedromes in the middle of nowhere.

The other thing tat may give Bernie pause for thought is that the last Formula E race had higher TV viewing figures in the USA than any F1 race this year.

Edited by AnotherClarkey on Friday 11th December 10:34

The labour party tried to get the original decision overturned http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122198... Ultimately it failed though and the race will go ahead. I also like the fact they are racing on more unusual and new circuits. Its as close as we are ever going to get to having proper circuit races round parks like crystal palace again.

[Rude-boy]

sirtyro said:

Until Formula E can run at proper tracks, I don't think it will ever get the attention that they want it to get. Truli's team is leaving and either he is doing that because he has run out of money or doesn't like it, plus the London council tried to ban the London event, so I still think they have lots of hurdles to jump before they get to where it needs to be to threaten Bernie

Truli was chugging round at the back (as per usual) and bought in with the idea that he would be able to sell team and entry for a profit. Sadly for him chugging round at the back has not made his team as saleable as others were.

To say that "the London Council tried to ban the London event" is one interpretation of what has occurred, but is as factually accurate and rigorous as a Daily Mail headline. One political faction within the council sought, for political ends, to have the decision of the council to continue to support the event reversed. They failed.

[anonymous-user]

AnotherClarkey said:

When did the council try to ban it? They have just confirmed Battersea Park for a further two years, admittedly after a couple of protests from NIMBYish residents who seem to think that they alone own a public park.

I, for one, like the city centre locations and don't ever want to see them race on dull Tilkedromes in the middle of nowhere.

The other thing that may give Bernie pause for thought is that the last Formula E race had higher TV viewing figures in the USA than any F1 race this year.

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 11th December 10:34

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 11th December 12:32

I'm not sure Bernie will be worried. Apparently those figures refer only to Fox TV, who have exclusivity on FE in the USA but are only one of a few companies broadcasting F1.

From what I can see about 12M watch live F1 on USA TV. Don't know the exact number for each race but the average seems to somewhat over 500,000. Fox claim 60000 viewers for the live race.

I stand to be corrected but I don't any of us will know the exact numbers.

[RobGT81]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6xvVj0MKEM&fe...

[Dan_1981]

http://www.jaguar.com/about-jaguar/formula-e.html


Just need a HQ now.....

[Ahonen]

I'm not a marketing analyst so I don't know what the relative differences are between winning the greatest race on earth and trundling around Battersea Park at 80mph, but as a racer I really can't get excited about FE.

I am a self-confessed dinosaur though. However, with Jaguar being just about the only manufacturer without a GT programme (GT3 or GTE), most seem to feel there's still plenty of mileage left in old technology. But maybe Audi, Porsche, Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Nissan, Lexus, Aston Martin, BMW, Mercedes, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Dodge, Maserati and McLaren are all wrong.

Audi obviously has an involvement in FE with its backdoor entry via Abt, but they clearly see their GT and LMP programmes as being of greater importance.

[designndrive62]

Ahonen said:

I'm not a marketing analyst so I don't know what the relative differences are between winning the greatest race on earth and trundling around Battersea Park at 80mph, but as a racer I really can't get excited about FE.

I am a self-confessed dinosaur though. However, with Jaguar being just about the only manufacturer without a GT programme (GT3 or GTE), most seem to feel there's still plenty of mileage left in old technology. But maybe Audi, Porsche, Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Nissan, Lexus, Aston Martin, BMW, Mercedes, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Dodge, Maserati and McLaren are all wrong.

Audi obviously has an involvement in FE with its backdoor entry via Abt, but they clearly see their GT and LMP programmes as being of greater importance.

Formula E was never going to be an instant over-night success. GT/Le mans racing at the moment is a proven way of getting an income (from selling customer cars, providing support etc) and developing parts and getting brand exposure for all the manufacturers you have mentioned above. At the moment it still has a relevance to the cars we see on the road today in tyre technology etc. No-one is ever going to chuck all that in the bin in one go and focus on a brand new series in its infancy. However, things will change and I think whether we like it or not Formula E will begin to play a much bigger role and become far more relevant in the future. Those that get involved now will have a march on the competition once it gains pace.

I don't think that battery power is the future, but the series has the potential at this stage to develop with the available technologies, and one day all the companies you just listed, certainly the ones with a large market in the road car sector such as BMW and Mercedes, will have an involvement.