Michelin is now the official tire partner of Drayson Racing Technologies (DRT), whose cars will run exclusively on Michelin rubber in the build up to the inaugural 2014/15 FIA Formula E season.

This partnership also includes the Drayson B12 69/EV hypercar that will challenge the FIA World Electric Land Speed Record.

Lord Drayson will aim to beat the current record of 175mph set by Battery Box General Electric in the United States and which has stood since 1974. This record has held firm for nearly 40 years due to the technical challenge of running an electric vehicle consistently and reliably at such speeds when weighing less than 1000kg.

DRT will make the attempt in the UK, at RAF Elvington in Yorkshire.

Michelin is providing the control tires to the FIA Formula E Championship, and this real-world trial will influence the development of key Drayson Racing Technologies components for the 2014 Formula E season.

Lord Drayson will also act as a Michelin ambassador and showcase Drayson Racing Technology vehicles at numerous events in the run-up to the inaugural Formula E season.

Commenting on the partnership, Lord Drayson, founder and Managing Partner of Drayson Racing Technologies said that “Michelin has a strong pedigree in motorsport innovation and we at Drayson Racing Technologies are sustainable motorsport pioneers, so the partnership was a natural fit. I’ll be driving the B12 69/EV during the World Electric Land Speed Record attempt and it gives me great confidence to know that the best team in the world right now have provided the tires, which will play such a crucial part.”

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In front of more than 400 guests and selected media, the agreement was signed during the closing ceremony of the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) attended by the Vice Mayor together with Ms Qiu Hong, Assistant Minister of Commerce of China and Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoter Formula E Holdings (FEH).

Also present was Steven Lu, team principal of China Racing, one of two Formula E teams to have already committed to the Championship together with Team Drayson Racing, with each fielding two drivers as part of a 10-team line-up.

Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, joins a list of nine cities to be announced for the inaugural season – including London, Los Angeles and Bangkok – with the remaining city to be revealed shortly, ahead of the final calendar being presented to the FIA at the September 2013 World Motor Sport Council.

During the press conference, the Vice Mayor expressed her most sincere welcome for the FIA Formula E Championship adding: “Beijing is one of the leading cities in the world to promote electric cars and we would like to take this opportunity to showcase this to the world. The City of Beijing plans to have 50,000 electric cars on the streets by 2015, while across China the government has set a target of producing and selling 500,000 energy-efficient and alternative-energy vehicles per year by 2015, and five million vehicles by 2020.”

Routes for the race are currently being finalized but as with all Formula E events, the organizers said it will take place through the city streets, incorporating many of Beijing’s most iconic landmarks and providing a great spectacle for the people of China (see artist’s rendering used as main picture for this article).

“We are delighted to start this partnership with FEH for the coming Formula E Beijing race,” said Steven Lu. “Our experience and credibility will ensure the success of this green racing series in the capital of China. The support we’ve received from the Beijing Sports Bureau and the local ASN have given us even more confidence to deliver a world-class electric car championship in 2014. It will be our home race for the Formula E China Racing team and we will try to make local fans proud and excited about electric cars. I believe this is the best platform to promote electric vehicles in Beijing.”

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The agreement was signed by Patrice Ratti, Renault Sport Technologies Managing Director and Renault SAS representative; Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings; and Frédéric Vasseur, President of Spark Racing Technologies.

“Renault has demonstrated a unique commitment to zero-emission mobility, with a range of four vehicles available for sale. Renault in Europe, and the Renault-Nissan Alliance worldwide, has gained a position of EV sales leader. Formula E is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate the excellence and the reliability of our EV solutions,” said Philippe Klein, Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning, Product Planning & Programs of Renault Group. “We believe that motorsport is an efficient manner to promote the efficiency of new technologies, and we’re eager to use that single-seater in FIA Formula E championship to show our technology is the best.”

Renault said its ongoing involvement in motor racing’s series provides it with a unique technological laboratory, giving it an edge not only in the world of production vehicles but also on the race track.

According to Renault, its technological excellence extends not only in F1 but also in all Z.E. range.

“Renault and Formula E both share the same commitment to innovative technology and sustainable motoring and we’re delighted to welcome them to the Championship as a Founding Partner,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoter Formula E Holdings. “Not only is Renault one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, with a very successful motorsport pedigree, it is also a pioneer for electric vehicles being the first full-range car manufacturer to market zero-emission vehicles. To have a manufacturer of this caliber onboard is a great testament to the growing appeal of the FIA Formula E Championship.”

Spark Racing Technology sided toward this technological expertise to optimize the electric and electronic layout. The 42 Formula E single-seaters built for the start of the first season will be named “Spark-Renault”.

“Spark Racing Technology is extremely proud to have a new major quality player in motorsport, Renault,” said Frédéric Vasseur, CEO of Spark Racing Technology. “Their record and involvement in high level motorsport speaks for the brand. In addition, Renault has always been at the forefront of innovation and having their expertise and know-how is invaluable at such a key moment in the creation of the FIA Formula E World Championship. This partnership with Renault is a new corner stone in a building harmoniously taking shape at all levels.”

Renault Sport Technologies said it is the only car manufacturer to design, develop and market a comprehensive range of sporting cars and vehicles made for motorsport within the same entity. It was obvious for Renault to ask his subsidiary to work on this project and to put to good use all the engineers’ expertise on motorsport vehicles.

“Renault’s expertise in electric powertrain design and integration acquired both in production EV and in Formula 1 makes Renault Sport a natural partner for Spark in this exciting Formula E project,” said Patrice Ratti, Managing Director of Renault Sport Technologies. “Engineers from Renault Sport F1 and Renault Sport Technologies will collaborate with Spark Racing Technology team to optimize the electric and electronic layout and performance of the powertrain. Our experience will be particularly valuable to ensure the safety and reliability of the car.”

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The announcement came during a special event held to demonstrate the innovation of racing technology in Thailand, attended by the Pol.Maj.Gen Lattasanya Piansomparn, Advisor to the Minister of Energy, Mr. Chiruit Israngkun Na Ayuthaya, Director-Domestic MICE, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, and Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoter Formula E Holdings (FEH).

More than 200 guests attended the reception, also held in honour of His Majesty the King’s 86^th birthday, hosted on the eighth floor of the ZEN Shopping Mall by leading Thai DJ and model Nattaseat Poonsupmanee.

Taking centre stage at the ceremony was the fully-electric Formula E car making its first ever appearance in Asia.

Earlier this year, FEH presented the FIA with a preliminary list of eight cities – London, Rome, Los Angeles, Miami, Beijing, Putrajaya, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro – all selected to host races for the inaugural season.

A total of 10 races are scheduled for 2014 with Bangkok adding its name to the list of candidate cities for the remaining two slots.

Since launching in August 2012, FEH has received formal letters of interest from 23 cities across five continents with the final calendar being presented to the FIA for its approval at the September 2013 World Motor Sport Council.

“We are delighted to be here in Bangkok today and are very thankful to the Thai authorities for their enthusiastic welcome,” said Alejandro Agag. “We have been very impressed with Thailand’s commitment to cleaner energy and sustainable motoring, as well as their rising motorsport programme, and a Formula E race through this amazing city would provide a great spectacle together with a considerable boost to tourism.”

Mr. Chiruit Israngkun Na Ayuthaya said that “the FIA Formula E Championship in Bangkok city will help economic growth (GDP) and generate tourism revenue for the country, especially MICE industry and motor sports economic activities.”

Formula E is a new FIA championship that brings electric vehicle racing to the people, as city centres around the world play host to an electric energy World Championship designed to promote interest and investment in electric vehicles and sustainable motoring.

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The California mayor made the announcement on Earth Day April 22.

Los Angeles is thus becoming one of expected10 global cities to host the world’s first fully-electric Formula E race, commencing in 2014.

Formula E is a new FIA championship that brings electric vehicle racing to the people, as city centers around the world play host to an electric energy World Championship designed to promote interest and investment in electric vehicles and sustainable motoring.

Los Angeles was selected to host one of the races by Championship promoters Formula E Holdings in part due to its robust and burgeoning electric vehicle infrastructure, in particular Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) Electric Vehicle Program.

Additional cities already chosen to host races include Miami; London and Rome in Europe; Beijing and Putrajaya in Asia; and, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janiero in South America. Two other locations have yet to be announced.

“By hosting Formula E Championship races here, we ensure our place as a leader in the charge to generate awareness for electric vehicles and their benefits,” Mayor Villaraigosa said. “By selecting Los Angeles as the site of their Championship races, Formula E Holdings brings international attention to our City’s electric vehicle infrastructure programs and increased tourism revenue to our City.”

Acording to the Mayor, to date, the City has made significant advancements to prepare for and encourage the wider use of electric vehicles. Los Angeles has upgraded or installed 121 public electric vehicle charging stations, streamlined the permitting process necessary to upgrade electrical panels in homes and businesses, and issued rebates for in-home electric charger equipment and installation fees as part of their “Charge Up LA” program.

“We are very thankful to the Mayor and the authorities for the enthusiastic welcome they have given our Championship and are honored to have Los Angeles on board to host Formula E and share our passion for promoting sustainable motoring,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings. “Los Angeles’ iconic landmarks provide a perfect backdrop to bring to life the excitement of Formula E racing, while at the same time, inspiring people to believe in the electric vehicle for their own personal use. The LA race is also going to have  a real positive impact on the City by creating many new job opportunities together with considerable amounts in visitor spending and of course a great sense of community pride.”

Formula E said the Los Angeles Formula E race is planned to take place on city streets in downtown LA; a number of routes are still being considered.

Ten teams with two drivers each will participate in the races, which will last approximately one hour using fully electric cars capable of reaching speeds of more than 140 mph (220 kph) with zero emissions.

“Los Angeles is the car capital of the world, and it’s fast becoming the EV capital of the world,” Ron Nichols, LADWP general manager, added. “We are very excited to have the Formula E Championship here and to showcase the city’s achievements in expanding EV charging infrastructure and promoting EV use among our customers.”

As part of the announcement event, crowds were treated to a display along Hope Street of the Formula E car adorned in an American flag design and driven by ex-Formula 1 racer and official Formula E test driver Lucas di Grassi.

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Team China Racing officially announced its intention on participating yesterday and was officially proposed to the FIA as the second team.

Intended to be composed of 10 teams, the zero-emissions championship is planned to launch next year.

The announcement was made during a gathering at the Place de la Concorde, France, in which Alejandro Agag, the CEO of promoter Formula E Holdings, and Yu Liu, the Chairman of Team China Racing, met with FIA President Jean Todt. Also present were Steven Lu, CEO of Team China Racing, and Liang JianSheng, First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy.

“We are very excited that the FIA is launching an electric car racing series and we are proud to be one of the first Formula E teams,” said Liu. “I believe Formula E is a perfect platform for China Racing and our key partners to get involved in the future of motor sport. Our presence in the Championship will encourage millions of Chinese fans to follow the series.”

The zero-emissions championship will feature electric-powered cars racing on city street circuits.

Rome, Italy will be the first city to host a Formula E race.

Yesterday’s announcement follows the launch last month of the FIA Formula E Team Drayson.

Team China Racing said it will initially use the Formula E customer car currently being developed by Spark Racing Technology (SRT), McLaren and Dallara, but aims to build its own Chinese electric formula cars within three years, supported by Chinese EV manufacturers.

Liu added: “Our experience in racing event management will contribute to a successful Formula E city race in China showcasing electric formula cars with a futuristic sound and zero-emissions. We also believe this is a good platform for Chinese and global EV companies to do our part to help create a sustainable planet.”

Team China Racing is not new to racing; it has previously competed in championships including A1GP, Superleague Formula and FIA GT1.

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