Formula E ?
 

One of the greatest emotional triggers at any auto-racing event is the noise. In Nascar, it is the earthshaking growl of V8 American muscle. In Formula One, it is the chest-rattling wail of 15,000 rpm. To some the sound is repellent. To others it is like an opera. But what if there is no sound at all? Welcome to the quiet world of Formula E, a global racing series for electric cars, which debuts this month in Beijing.

Link to original article - In 'Formula E' Racing, Electric Cars Don't Have the Roar of Regular Engines - WSJ


Nerd/Geek comments - The Quiet Revolution of Formula E Electric Car Racing - Slashdot

I'm going to go to the first Long Beach race (April next year). I can appreciate the quiet whir of gears and electric motors, but I do love the sound of a flat 6 or screaming V12.

I think most people will say the Formula E cars sound better than Formula 1 cars do now.

I remember the crowd being flattened by the scream of the Matra V-12 at Watkins Glen in '73/'74. I don't think gears and whirrs will ever make the hair stand up on the back of my neck like the sound of that Matra.

I think electric motors can have a nice sound, especially at 20000rpm. Just not as loud as ICEs... I'm all for formula e.

They certainly are not the same. They are very different but both good. It is nice to have vintage races (and sport bikes) to enjoy the loud sounds but it is a whole different experience to drive an electric racecar - especially a tube frame one without bodywork. You see the asphalt below your feet, see the open wheels, and hear just some wind and gear noise. You don't need earplugs, the car doesn't vibrate your eyes to blurring. And with the noise restrictions of Laguna Seca becoming more stringent and more common to other tracks you can drive an electric racecar without having to go out to where the Lord lost his racetrack.

Everything is so smooth and the car seems to move effortlessly. It is nice if you want to feel more connected with the road and the scenery- like being on a bicycle but without all the effort. They can still be very quick too.

Hopefully this will spur some Lithium-Air batteries that will actually have a usable range for an EV sports car with a reasonable weight.

I always thought slot car track racing sounded pretty cool so I imagine giant slot cars will sound pretty cool too.

So I'm wondering if a team will have the guts to install a killer sound system to use at an appropriate moment? :)

I was gonna say "let's give it a chance", it might be interesting with no noise.
But you mentioned the Matra V12 and now I have goose bumps just thinking about it.
Not fair ;-) Easily THE best sounding engine that was or ever will be made.

Maybe these E racers can use a large version of these

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/b9XAC-BvUyo?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

agreed.

i like the idea of formula e. my only fault is the whole "pitstop" being to get in a second car. that seems like a bad idea. otherwise, i love the idea of electric racing.

Don't forget the most rudimentary emotion trigger...smell.

What there will be is a new discovery of tire and aero noise that was once never detecable over all the ICE sounds.

Tire noise example:
WORLD'S FASTEST ELECTRIC DRAGSTER Current Eliminator V 1/4 Mile - YouTube

The worst part about Spa was the lack of Formula 1 sound.
The cars lose the excitement and sexieness that the sound provides.
But, battery science will escalate and we'll all have 5 lb. batteries in our cars some day.