Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation proposes fuel cell race

[TopGearNL]

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/motorsport/hydrogen-electric-racing-federation-proposes-fuel-cell-race-in-2009/

A body known as the Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation (HERF) is proposing a 500 mile race that’s scheduled for May of 2009 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. AutoWeek reports that the event hasn’t been confirmed, but if successful, the race is tipped to revolutionize motorsport and could usher in a new era where race cars are as enviro-friendly as they are fast.

The race cars would be fuel cell powered electric vehicles that weigh less than 900kg and are powered by 400hp (298kW) hydrogen fuel cell drivetrains. According to its developers, motorsport would be the best proving ground and convincer for the viability of the clean technology.

At its inaugural presentation, HERF drew interest from executives from most of the major car manufacturers including the likes of Audi, General Motors, Honda and Toyota. Even tire manufacturers Bridgestone-Firestone and Michelin were present.

The event is to be called the Hydrogen 500 and will include a planned three races in 2010 followed by five rounds in 2011. We should have more information in roughly three months when a signed letter of intent to compete is due

http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/motorsport/formula1_hybrid_1.jpg

I wonder how it will sound, not better then the Indy 500 I'd imagine :? :wink:

[silentm]

what's it supposed to sound like, if it even sounds like anything? i could imagine this ending up in some kind of mute racing, because fuel cells afaik don't make a noise...

imo a rather bad idea, but i would like to know how they plan to harness all that power from a fuel cell :)

and imagine a crash with these cars. all the Hydrogen would just go up in a huge flame/explosion :? not something you would want to see. i'm pretty sceptical on this idea, though i would like to see the result.

[ZfrkS62]

i would expect to see BMW accept this challenge. they are the only ones that have a hydrogen powered production car ready, and have tested a race car already.

Now, my question is, would this be 500 laps of turning left, or are they taking the Indy infield?

[rave426]

Nah....it wont blow up in a big flame. They have engineered measures that prevent that from happening.....

But hell we all know how often engineers mess up.....*cough* Ford Pinto *cough*

[dons5]

as long as they sound crazy and are as super loud as gasoline racecars then i dont care what they run on, but i highly doubt thats the case, stupid world.

[Mattk]

This is ridiculous! This is probably going to be little better than solar car racing. There would be no atmosphere due to the lack of noise these cars generate.

[silentm]

I say BMW builds a few more of those goofy looking H2Rs and races them, 187 MPH! And they sound kind of good, unique but good.

H2R driving around a track....

http://video.google.com/url?vidurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3F v%3DM2eLmIG69M4&docid=3704082705663325390&ev=v&esrc=sr4&usg=AL29H21Ly0fAMrAxTMLBLoHgkjmFQsK1cw
thanks for the video, but as you can clearly hear, there is hardly any sound apart from this swooshing drive-by. i don't see this becoming popular because like others have stated, the noise missing will simply destroy any kind of atmosphere :?

@Zfrk
ok so assuming BMW would be in, who else? will this be like the DTM where you only see 2 different types of cars? (which is rather boring imo)

[Mattk]

It might turn out to be only BMW cars racing each other.