Bangkok To Host FIA Formula E Championship In 2014
Automotive Press Releases Friday May 17, 2013
Bangkok–17 May–Market-comms
Thailand’s capital Bangkok has been selected by Formula E Holdings to host the new FIA Formula E Championship in 2014. 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).
This event presents the fully-electric Formula E car making its first ever appearance in Asia, also held in honour of His Majesty the King’s 86th birthday. Formula E Holdings plan to roadshow the new Formula E car during this year before the racing in 2014.
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. Recently, Formula E Holding made the surprise announcement that Thailand’s capital city Bangkok is the latest to be added to the list. The last of the ten countries will be announced this September 2014. Singapore or Indonesia are the short list candidates.
The latest innovation of Formula E is being built by Spark Racing Technology (SRT). The highlight of these technologies are – ease to control, futuristic design, less cost production and weight but more safety. Tyres are supplied by Michelin.
The Formula E accelerates from 0-100 Km/h (60mph) in 3 seconds, with the maximum speed of 220 Km/h. The Formula E car will have a unique futuristic sound that will be 80 decibels (ordinary car = 70dB ; Formula E = 80dB ; Bus = 90dB) and the weight of the car and driver is approximately 780kg. (1720lbs)
Formula E also intends to serve as a framework of R&D round the electric vehicle and accelerate general interest in EVs for personal use.
Pol.Maj.Gen Lattasanya Piansomparn, Advisor to the Minister of Energy said: “In 2012, total production, local sales, and exports of cars, all reached new highs, close to 2.5 million cars and broke the old record of 50 years. The heavily promoted Thai car industry was on the way to becoming one of the top 10 car producers in the world. The government policy is to force Thailand as the ASEAN hub of automotive production and announced the new master plan for automotive industry 2012-2016 to formulating development strategies for sustainable growth of the industry especially the global trends focusing on green and clean energy.
As the result reflects the competency and vision of Thailand’s automotive industry and if Thailand is one of the cities’ listed at FIA Formula E Championship, it will create a great opportunity for the future automotive industry cooperation and Formula E production base in Thailand. Formula E now is the latest innovation and technology of automotive industry. The future automotive trend is electric energy. Moreover the best benefits for Thailand are: 1) The cutting edge of technology will transfer to the Thailand automotive industry; 2) increased employment opportunities; 3) increase of labour skills at international standard.”
Mr. Chiruit Israngkun Na Ayuthaya, Director-Domestic MICE, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau commented: “FIA Formula E Championship at Bangkok city, Thailand in 2014 will help economic growth (GDP) and generate tourism revenue for the country, especially MICE industry and motor sports economic activities.”
