[vincesanity82]

If that's the case, you'd think NASCAR would be on top of the automotive world's leading trend: electric drive systems and the move toward plug-in vehicles. If GM is betting the farm on its electric Volt car, NASCAR doesn't appear to be following -- let alone leading. It's not uncommon for presidential candidates to sponsor NASCAR racers, but Barack Obama decided against it this month. "Stock car racing could be seen as being antithetical to any green automotive policies that Obama might support," a recent entry on the blog Autobloggreen speculated. So here's my suggestion: What about starting a NASCAR division dedicated to the racing of electric cars? Cars could be repowered during pit stops with battery swaps. Each team would be allowed a certain number of batteries. That way, teams aiming to win would have to focus on improving battery range and power density. -- Toronto Star



TheStar.com | Business | Auto racing should go electric to fuel innovation

[DOF_power]

If they:

a] will actually look like stock cars (as in real production cars)
b] don't have the current aero traffic issues and ocassional tire issues, thus allowing drivers to race each other
c] have unique and pleasing audio signatures
d] allow the driver to modulate with his foot
e] are actually relevant and used to improve the breed
f] are safe

then I'm all for it.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

If that's the case, you'd think NASCAR would be on top of the automotive world's leading trend: electric drive systems and the move toward plug-in vehicles. If GM is betting the farm on its electric Volt car, NASCAR doesn't appear to be following -- let alone leading. It's not uncommon for presidential candidates to sponsor NASCAR racers, but Barack Obama decided against it this month. "Stock car racing could be seen as being antithetical to any green automotive policies that Obama might support," a recent entry on the blog Autobloggreen speculated. So here's my suggestion: What about starting a NASCAR division dedicated to the racing of electric cars? Cars could be repowered during pit stops with battery swaps. Each team would be allowed a certain number of batteries. That way, teams aiming to win would have to focus on improving battery range and power density. -- Toronto Star



TheStar.com | Business | Auto racing should go electric to fuel innovation

Oh, it would so easy to go political on this one, and since realpolitik is prominently quoted in the body of the post it wouldn't be off topic, would it?

But today's been a good day and I don't want to think about Socialists, Imperial Government control of my life and the rest of the Green, mythical Global Warming BS the above refers to.

I can hardly wait for the soul-stirring (((((Hum))))) of Junior in a Prius or some other Smug-mobile "whirrring"down the main straight.

Please don't take this the wrong way, Barry, but Stick it in your ear!!!

OK, does anyone have any questions on where I stand on this subject?

[DOF_power]

Reminds when Red Bull F1 wanted to do a demonstration in Austria but a politician stepped in and banned this saying it sent the wrong signal.


But then again, what stock car racing (with no stock and little racing) ?!

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

Reminds when Red Bull F1 wanted to do a demonstration in Austria but a politician stepped in and banned this saying it sent the wrong signal.


But then again, what stock car racing (with no stock and little racing) ?!

Here! Here! The man "somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean" tells it like it is!

Imperial Government...Coming soon to a sport near you!

[Bassdogs]

Bob T - It is often the words not spoken that are heard the loudest. I would only add that those who might propose this should "stick it in both ears and maybe one or more other locations.

This is however America and we are free to seek enterprise where we as individuals might see an opportunity. If someone thinks that racing electric or other forms of hybrid cars would be a viable enterprise, then I'm sure you will join me in encouraging them to go for it. Expecting or even suggesting that Nascar ought to try it is simply stupid.

Now on a practical note, let's line up a field of Prius vehicles and drop the green. The electric goes off, and the Power from a gasoline engine comes to life, as anemic as it might be. It might be interesting what Chad and Zippy and a few others might come up with.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Bassdogs

Bob T - It is often the words not spoken that are heard the loudest. I would only add that those who might propose this should "stick it in both ears and maybe one or more other locations.

This is however America and we are free to seek enterprise where we as individuals might see an opportunity. If someone thinks that racing electric or other forms of hybrid cars would be a viable enterprise, then I'm sure you will join me in encouraging them to go for it. Expecting or even suggesting that Nascar ought to try it is simply stupid.

Now on a practical note, let's line up a field of Prius vehicles and drop the green. The electric goes off, and the Power from a gasoline engine comes to life, as anemic as it might be. It might be interesting what Chad and Zippy and a few others might come up with.

Re: Bold highlight
Absolutely!!! You've hit my soft spot; freedom to either succeed or fail on our own merits with no governmental safety net.

As in the film, Field of Dreams, "Build it and they will come," we might be on the verge of a Race Car of Dreams, "Build it and they will race it." (((((HUM))))) The bark-humping, tree-hugging anti-capitalist wierdos would probably love it though.

My initial feeling is that it'd flop like a cow defecating in a pasture.

[Mindwarp]

Top Gear - Toyota Prius Vs BMW M3

BMW vs Prius in a gas mileage test...guess who wins.

[BiscuitMan]

I enjoy the sounds of the "roaring" engines at NASCAR races.

With electric car races, you would hear the announcers call out driver positions easily. The only big sound would be the screeching of tires as the cars made their way through the corners.

The drunks behind me would be easily heard as they pointed out that their driver was attempting a pass.

Maybe, each car could have a digital load speaker system connected to the accelerator pedal with a gas engine sound..... just so they would sound like race cars.

[Racer Duck]

It's already here, but NASCAR isn't involved.

Alternative Energies

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

It's already here, but NASCAR isn't involved.

Alternative Energies

This looks like DOF Territory. Comments?

Will this series become a serious part of our Motorsports Forum? <g>

Offhand I would guess that there isn't much of a problem with track traffic assess and egress, and with crowd control on race day.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

If that's the case, you'd think NASCAR would be on top of the automotive world's leading trend: electric drive systems and the move toward plug-in vehicles. If GM is betting the farm on its electric Volt car, NASCAR doesn't appear to be following -- let alone leading. It's not uncommon for presidential candidates to sponsor NASCAR racers, but Barack Obama decided against it this month. "Stock car racing could be seen as being antithetical to any green automotive policies that Obama might support," a recent entry on the blog Autobloggreen speculated. So here's my suggestion: What about starting a NASCAR division dedicated to the racing of electric cars? Cars could be repowered during pit stops with battery swaps. Each team would be allowed a certain number of batteries. That way, teams aiming to win would have to focus on improving battery range and power density. -- Toronto Star



TheStar.com | Business | Auto racing should go electric to fuel innovation

One of the points in the article is the construction of a "grid" around the country powered by sun, wind and geothermal activity.

To date, no one has discovered a way to construct and maintain that grid nor to make the devices used in capturing the sun, wind and geothermal energies without the used of ... you guessed it: PETROLEUM. They may .. someday. Until then, the "Barrel of Oil" is still the most important commodity, behind food, on earth.

Now, think about this: how does the electricity get generated to power these mythical race cars? Most often, by use of petroleum products. And any physics major (or minor) knows that there is ASOLUTELY NO WAY to produce anything without energy loss. No matter how the electricity is produced, it is less efficient than using the original fuel used to produce the energy.

So, let's talk about race cars with miniature nuclear reactors driving each wheel...

[bob101]

Sure NASCAR should start an electric car division because the US desperately needs another race series that would have zero interest on a fan basis and thus just suck money out of those that do appeal to fans.

There's already too many series in the US that are on the verge of dying off from lack of funding/fan interest....why not another?

Look at it this way, why electric cars are a novelty at the moment. Look at the average person who drives/owns an electric car. Do you think they have the slightest interest in any form of automobile racing.

Right now in the US owning and driving an electric car is not about mileage or whatever - it's a lifestyle choice because right now it doesn't make economic sense to own one. Those people who shell out the extra money for an electric car really wouldn't be up for watching people waste all those resources for "entertainment" and racing.

Why does it matter? Because without some form of an auto maker getting on board where would it go past parking lot races at the mall......and let's be honest it's still about "win on Sunday, sell on Monday"....and if I'm trying to sell electric cars advertising at an auto race (of any kind) isn't going to be economically sound.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by bob101

Look at it this way, why electric cars are a novelty at the moment. Look at the average person who drives/owns an electric car. Do you think they have the slightest interest in any form of automobile racing.
.

Can I get an AMEN!!!, Brother bob?

You said it a lot more politely than some other slob who posts here who termed them "A bunmch of tree-hugging, bark-humping, anti-capitalist wierdos."

[Racer Duck]

The local radio station I listen to throws out various "quotes" from the owner as part of their spiel. Last week, on my way into town came this gem:

"Have you noticed the people who drive the hybrid cars? They're the same ones that can afford $4 a gallon gasoline."