Electric future for STCC from 2023

[pimmy]

Originally Posted by thetool

Turns out it was concerning. Could they really not have just used the old TCR cars for another year?

Wasn't there supposed to be a separate TCR championship anyway? What happened to that?

[Andrew Abbott]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Source?

Don't expect a source from Brexit-espousing buffoons in the UK...

[FIRE]

With cars now being delivered to teams and preparations ramping up, organisers have confirmed an early June start for the 2024 season, which will feature six events across five meetings.

...

2024 STCC calendar
Round 1 & 2 – 8/9 June – Gothenburg, STCC Head 2 Head
Round 3 – 28/29 June – Ljungbyhed Motorbana, Airport Race
Round 4 – 24 August – Helsingborg, STCC Head 2 Head
Round 5 – 13/14 September – Call Knutstorp, Newsrace
Round 6 – 20/21 September – Mantorp Park, Grand Finale

https://www.touringcartimes.com/2023...lectric-debut/

So teams get or have alredy their new cars.

When is the first test scheduled? Not before spring 2024 I assume.

[thetool]

This is all going to get cancelled again isn't it? The format is a joke, I assume the 15 minute races are because they've realised the cars won't run more than 20 minutes without charging?

[FIRE]

True but still I am curious about the cars.

[NaBUru38]

The big problem isn't 15-minute races, but how many races per weekend. If it's just two, then yes it's a waste of time.

[thetool]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

The big problem isn't 15-minute races, but how many races per weekend. If it's just two, then yes it's a waste of time.

It's only one. The rest of the running is faffing about with "tests" and "shoot-outs".

[FIRE]

Source: STCC

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by thetool

It's only one. The rest of the running is faffing about with "tests" and "shoot-outs".

What? There's only 1 15 minute race per 'round'? That can't be right surely?

[thetool]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

What? There's only 1 15 minute race per 'round'? That can't be right surely?

Yes, and only at three of the rounds. The Gothenburg and Helsingborg rounds have nothing by the way of traditional racing at all, with those events consisting of 2-car elimination races like Race of the Champions.

[Matt K]

Well, at some point when STCC's new electric direction was announced I was kind of interested to see how it goes. I'm no longer... might be just me but seems like gimmicks just for the sake of switching to EV, not really the motorsport I'm excited about. Had thought it'd easily be better than FE but well, it's going to be the same league for now, I guess.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Well, at some point when STCC's new electric direction was announced I was kind of interested to see how it goes. I'm no longer... might be just me but seems like gimmicks just for the sake of switching to EV, not really the motorsport I'm excited about. Had thought it'd easily be better than FE but well, it's going to be the same league for now, I guess.

The PWR01 made it's track debut around 2019. The result (= 2023 STCC car) after few years development is quite disappointing.

I still want to see the cars on track but the format doesn't interest me.

Maybe I'm thinking far too easily about electric power trains but if electric road cars can do 400, 500 or even 600 km why can electric race cars only do 15 minutes? Isn't really good pr for electric cars.

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by FIRE

The PWR01 made it's track debut around 2019. The result (= 2023 STCC car) after few years development is quite disappointing.

I still want to see the cars on track but the format doesn't interest me.

Maybe I'm thinking far too easily about electric power trains but if electric road cars can do 400, 500 or even 600 km why can electric race cars only do 15 minutes? Isn't really good pr for electric cars.

Well, exactly my point. Similar to the failed eTCR. The cars themselves were pretty nice to watch (ok, will still need some time to get used to the sound) but the championship itself was just a borefest, completely uninteresting for me. Seems like the same story for STCC.
I get the urge to switch to electric cars in some circles but if racing still can't provide for good motorsport using such cars then perhaps it's too early. Then it looks like a PR and publicity stunt more than anything else.

[porsche962fan]

and there are people who still didn't realize that electric is technological dead end, alternative fuels a much more promising path

if they would be capable to do electric cars that can go distance of 500+ km at an average speed of 100 km/h then we would have something

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

and there are people who still didn't realize that electric is technological dead end, alternative fuels a much more promising path

if they would be capable to do electric cars that can go distance of 500+ km at an average speed of 100 km/h then we would have something

Well, actually, for me it also seems like alternative fuels would be a lot better as this would keep cars (and motorsport) fairly unchanged to what we're used to and what we love. But I know little of some technicalities so don't pretend to be an expert here in terms of what's feasible, what's better etc etc.
What I feel sure about though (sadly) is that electric cars cannot be such dead end if more and more manufacturers produce such cars and start withdrawing petrol cars from their offering. Feels like it can't be a short-term trend, rather a long-term transition but who knows, maybe I'll be (hopefully) proven wrong. Still sceptical about electric cars.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

and there are people who still didn't realize that electric is technological dead end, alternative fuels a much more promising path

if they would be capable to do electric cars that can go distance of 500+ km at an average speed of 100 km/h then we would have something

Electric road cars are not a dead end but that's a different discussion and here off topic.

[Tel 911S]

Originally Posted by FIRE

The PWR01 made it's track debut around 2019. The result (= 2023 STCC car) after few years development is quite disappointing.

I still want to see the cars on track but the format doesn't interest me.

Maybe I'm thinking far too easily about electric power trains but if electric road cars can do 400, 500 or even 600 km why can electric race cars only do 15 minutes? Isn't really good pr for electric cars.

With the spec you listed for the race cars , basic laws of physics says that under full power they will only run for about 7 minutes .
With enough tight bends and a few chicanes so that they are not under full power for half of each lap they can probably last 15 minutes .

But it is Scandinavia so any cold days could reduce battery life by 20 to 30 percent

[Andrew Abbott]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Similar to the failed eTCR.

I don't think you can describe eTCR as failed. Granted, no running this year, but the promoter, Discovery Sports Events, just walked away (including from FIA WTCR).

Exactly why that is we may never truly know.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by Andrew Abbott

I don't think you can describe eTCR as failed. Granted, no running this year, but the promoter, Discovery Sports Events, just walked away (including from FIA WTCR).

just six cars in two years. no more manufacturers or teams committed to it.

then the promoter walked away from it and nobody else stepped up to take it over and promote it from this year and nothing for next year either.

and you dont think that can be described as failed??

wow

[NaBUru38]

Electric rallycross has been relatively successful. Electric touring car racing is not too different, but it has failed so far.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Electric rallycross has been relatively successful. Electric touring car racing is not too different, but it has failed so far.

Main reason for that is probably because rallycross had already short 5 min races so with electric cars they don't have to change race format and shorten races.

[FIRE]

BMW i4







Source: https://www.touringcartimes.com/2023...me-off-bmw-i4/

[touring fan01]

obviously bmw have told them they cant have any bmw logos or badges on it

[Andrew Abbott]

Very much reminds me of this

[Adamcas87]

Originally Posted by Andrew Abbott

Very much reminds me of this

Yeah now they were Great looking cars back then