Diana Duel

E-Prix Racing returned to the Red Hook section of Brooklyn, NY on July 16, for the 5th time as part of the ABB FIA Formula World Championship. Inaugurated on July 7, 2017, electric race cars have competed for the lead on a “street” course laid out at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal site since then. Beginning at 1 pm EST, this year’s race featured 21 cars designed to compete at a speed of 175 mph for 45 minutes without any pit stops.

Unfortunately, the race had to be called with 7 minutes 30 seconds on the clock after a major downpour rained havoc on the track, resulting in a major crash involving 7 cars after they vehicles hydroplaned at the end of a long straight heading into Turn 6. Fortunately, all drivers were able to walk away unscathed.

Among the casualties was eventual winner Nick Cassidy, who crashed into the wall, but was awarded first place after officials declared the race complete following a short delay during which they decided not to resume the race due to the logistics it would take to clear the track and get any cars back up and running. Second place for the July 16 event was awarded to DS Teceetah driver Antonio Felix DaCosta, who held off Mercedes (MBG.DE) Stoffel Vardoome for most of the race. Mitch Evans of Jagua TCS Racing finished third.

This was Cassidy’s first Championship victory, even though he was dropped from pole position to the back of the pack for the July 17 race because the battery in his car had to be replaced following his crash.

Formula E ‘s all electric Gen3 race cars for 2023 will feature a top speed of 200 mph, with approximately 95% power efficiency with their electric motor delivering up to 350kw, making 40% of the energy used in a race produced by regenerable braking. Ultra-high speed charging capability of the Gen 3s will also feature a charging capability of 600 kw for additional energy during a race (almost double the current most advanced commercial chargers on the planet.

In addition, the cars will be the first Formula 1 vehicles that will NOT feature rear hydraulic brakes with the addition of the front power train and its regenerative capability. Meanwhile body construction will consist of body linen and recycled carbon.
To date, 7 manufacturers have already registered to run Gen3 cars in next year’s Championship Series. These include: Jaguar (UK), DS Automobales (France), Nissan (Japan), Mahind Racing (India), Porsche AG (Germany), Maserati (Italy)and MO333 (UK and China).