Coming in 2015: Silent NASCAR
There are two things that are really easy to understand about electric vehicles - aside from the don't-need-no-gasoline part. One, they have all their torque available from zero RPM. Two, they're quiet. Number one means that EVs are fast off the line (see: Tesla Roadster) and that could mean that, once electric motors and batteries are the powertrain of choice in the racing industry, everything we think we know about what a race sounds like could change. CNN describes the possible future this way:
Imagine a sun-swept Texas afternoon in 2015. After the roar of a ceremonial flyover, a Texas Motor Speedway crowd of 200,000 rises to its feet in anticipation of NASCAR's signature moment.
The celeb du jour grabs the microphone and bellows, "Gentlemen, start your engines!"
As the fans join in a full-throated cheer, 43 of the world's best drivers reach down and press a button. What follows is unprecedented: pin-dropping silence, save for 43 small clicks.
If NASCAR goes electric, CNN wonders, will fans stick around? Do they love the roar or the engines or the speed at which the cars move? Will they be satisfied with one but not the other? NASCAR isn't exactly at the forefront of automotive greenery (although it is thinking about it), but a U.S.-built Volt might be good enough to change some hearts and minds, no?
[Source: CNN]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Artemiy Pavlov 10:22AM (10/06/2008)
I think that race car manufacturers will use on-board sound systems to make some intergalactic fighter noises which will be even more cool than roaring V6's and V8's.
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electricitycycles 1:16PM (10/06/2008)
The would be hilarious.
Tim 11:27AM (10/06/2008)
I highly doubt that any weight would be wasted on such hardware in an electric race car. Besides the fact that a loudspeaker setup to project the engine noise would drain the batteries faster, every ounce saved will have tangible affects on range at high speeds.
Tim has no sense of humour 3:36AM (10/08/2008)
Tim has no sense of humour. Additionally, NASCAR fans are there for the crashes and occasionally their guy wins. They'll love the acid bath accidents.
Also, imagine the pit stops, they'll start using massive DDDDDD batteries anf have to flip the car over to get to the battery hatch--only to be foiled by the necessity of an allen key/hex key rather than the standard flathead screwdriver!
Throwback 10:49AM (10/06/2008)
Nothing sounds cooler than a high revving race engine, at least if you are a race fan. The sights, sounds, smells and feel of a race are what we race fans enjoy. I'm not a NASCAR fan but the full sensory experience is what draws us in.
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gorr 11:31AM (10/06/2008)
It is sure that if racing goes electric, it will be with hydrogen or methanol fuelcell instead of batteries. Batteries are too heavy and not enouph powerful, even the latest ones, for racing and battery swap in pit stop or quick charge is not efficient compare to a shot of methanol of gazeous hydrogen. Fuelcell electric can permit 4 wheels drive without added weight and regenerative breaking should be done with capacitors for reduced weight and fast acting electrical reaction contrary to battery that are too slow to recapture regenerative breaking in racing application.
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Dillonwell 2:56PM (10/09/2008)
Fuel cells will be left to rust in the dust. They can't perform as well as the latest batteries without a expense increase of ten fold.
Battery swap is safe and doable. A so called "shot" of hydrogen would most likely damage or rupture the expensive tank, causing a horrific explosion. Also, fast refueling of hydrogen would create much heat and make some of the hydrogen boil away. Future race car teams will not risk loosing so much for a Fuel cell made out of expensive platinum.
I don't know where you get "Batteries are too heavy and not enouph powerful." Then how do you explain the Eliica?
It runs on a lithium-ion battery and can accelerate from 0–62 mph in four seconds, faster than the Porsche 911 Turbo. By the way, the Eliica has eight wheels enabling it to be closer to the ground for better traction. Each of the wheels has a 60 kW (80 hp) electric motor, giving a 480 kW (640 hp) eight wheel drive which can tackle all kinds of road surfaces. In 2004, the Eliica reached a speed of 230 mph on Italy's Nardò High Speed Track. All battery powered, with the pice tag of $255,000.
Or the Tesla roadster. The car can travel 244 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery pack and accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds.
Although it costs over $100,000, it dwarfs in comparison for the cost to build and FCX clarity--OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS, and it only has modest driving capabilities. With a fuel efficiency equivalent of 68 mpg.
In contrast, the Roadster's efficiency, as of February 2008, is reported as 3.12 mi/kW·h, equivalent to 105 mpg–U.S.
Also, capacitors don't perform very well, that's why honda abandoned them in favor of lithium ion batteries for their FCX.
Say "bye bye fuel cells."
ron 11:32AM (10/06/2008)
I am 100% sure that as soon as the first crash happens and all you can hear is the car being shred to pieces accompanied by the death cry of the driver that fans will not want to go back to gas engines.
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Geoff de Ruiter 11:37AM (10/06/2008)
I agree that it'll be quite but electric vehicles do make sound, such as the tires squealing, regenerative braking, and yes the acceleration. it's doesn't sound the same but it is still there as a high hum like a turbo charger hum. Plus if you add 50 of those together I'm sure our senses will be fulfilled. Just check videos on youtube and listen. Personally In know this from the sound of my electric scooter.
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Dave 7:16PM (10/06/2008)
On the same page with you - judging from the noise that electric kart's make when racing (K1 Speed uses electric karts for their indoor kart racing), while the overall noise level will be down, there will still be plenty of gear, motor, tire noise.
JDred 11:42AM (10/06/2008)
You're right!
Not only No, but Hell NO!
Ron, you're stunning display of ignorance is typical. Don't watch NASCAR at all, huh?
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ron 1:44PM (10/06/2008)
Calm down there pal, you seem to be all too used to people bashing NASCAR, so much so that you`re ready to jump at the opportunity to defend it from tongue in cheek humour (yes, we spell humour like that in Canada) by accusing me of epic ignorance. I`m not surprised by your dog-like obedience in defending your master. You are well trained. You`re probably of the same lot as those who get suckered into buying NASCAR meat. Your "sport" does not represent the sport that it used to be. It`s just one large commercial made exciting only by crashes and alcohol. Your inability to see that is a stunning display of ignorance on your part.
b33gee 12:20PM (10/06/2008)
Quote: "43 of the world's best drivers" -
ROFL!!! LMAO!!!
Oh jeez ... you guys are FUNNY!!!
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MikeInNC 1:08PM (10/06/2008)
@b33gee: that WAS pretty funny!
chuck 10:22AM (10/07/2008)
remember indy when granatelli ran the 2 turbin cars, when they were on the track by themselves you could not hear anything but tire noise. it would of been a poor race if all 33 cars were like that and probably would of been the end
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JDred 11:49AM (10/07/2008)
Actually ron, I like watching the races and cheering for my favorite drivers. Speaking of commercials, I take it you apply the same standards to F-1 and LeMans?
I dislike condescending A-holes such as yourself that despite their self-proclaimed "superior intellect", base their criticism on stereotypes. So take off!, eh?
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Jayemay 2:54PM (10/07/2008)
Sounds good, but remember NASCAR races are long, they're essentially marathons not sprints, (no matter what they're calling their top curicit this week.) If the auto industry can produce a high performance car that can maintain high speeds for 400 or 500 miles without a gas engine by 2015, I'll be plenty impressed.
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Kat 3:35PM (10/07/2008)
I know I'm in the minority here, but I would be MORE likely to go to car races if the noise and smell were less. I used to go with my dad when I was a kid and enjoyed them very much, but eventually the headaches from the fumes and decibels outweighed the fun and excitement of the speed and skill. Electric cars sound pretty good to me. :-)
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Tony G 1:55AM (10/08/2008)
Electric will be the death of all motorsports.
If it ain't a recip ICE, screw it.
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Chris M 4:23AM (10/09/2008)
Stop living in the past, the future is electric.
Imagine a century ago, the complaints about that newfangled auto-mobile racing: "What? No thunderous horse hooves? No smell of horse sweat? Horses are for racing, not tin cans on wheels!"