Formula-e, I used to race in it

"bozla" (bozla)
08/09/2013 at 20:14 • Filed to: formula e, japan, racing

Yep that's right. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , short for Formula Enjoy. The first rung on the ladder of Japanese single seater racing. These cars only race at Suzuka circuit and use the 1.3 engine and gearbox straight from the Honda Fit (or Jazz if you're in the UK).

They top out in fifth gear at about 170 kph, but the chassis only weighs 430kg so the corner speeds are high. When the tires are hot the 130R is easy flat in the dry. But unless you're as smooth as silk the rear will step out. It put's your heart in your mouth when it does, and is the first time I ever got scared racing.

Just to prove the point, here are my team mates on the first lap of a race, one of them writing off the very car I used to race. (Watch from 4:40)

I feel very privileged to have been able to race these cars at such a great race track. At 6'3 I'm quite tall so I can't actually fit into most single-seaters, but thankfully I was living in Japan at that time and was able to go racing. Formula-e is a true clubman formula.

(spot the tall white guy)

DISCUSSION (4)

Fred Smith > bozla
08/09/2013 at 20:21

I've always been curious about JOWR. Just how big a deal is Formula Nippon/Super Formula over there? Bigger or smaller than Super GT?

bozla > Fred Smith
08/09/2013 at 20:28

I think Formula Nippon has started to reduce in popularity of late, but still pulls in the crowds. The Super-GT is easily the biggest race series at the moment.

ChemicalCutthroat > bozla
08/10/2013 at 00:38

That is awesome to watch.

What really amuses me though, is that it seemed like everyone is doing just fine, and then the guy loses it on that one high-speed turn on Suzuka (that I also always screw up) and then after that its like half the pack DNF's. He's just passing cars that are missing wheels, have bailing drivers, or are totally off course.

Did we miss Godzilla coming across the Start/Finish line to wreck the frontrunners? It was like getting the Blue Shell in Mariokart.

bozla > ChemicalCutthroat
08/10/2013 at 09:09

Well, they are all novices! I think the first guy to go off hit the curb and it unbalanced the car. It's quite a high curb so if you don't ride it gently you can get into trouble.