Formula Racing Development (FRD) has been named as an ‘Official Racing Partner’ to the Hong Hong ePrix, and will launch its e-Touring Car Challenge on October 8.
Set as a prelude to the FIA Formula E event in Hong Kong, the e-Touring Car Challenge is the first-ever electric touring car race not only in FIA history, but also in the world. It is also the first motorsports race in the city, as Hong Kong grows its motorsports presence to a new level on the international stage.
FRD, which operates a number of motorsports programs including the Asian Formula Renault Series, Clio Cup China Series and the official racing team for Changan Ford, will provide a field of 15 Volkswagen e-Golf machines as a supporting race preceding the main Formula E event.
To prepare for the race event, the e-Golf machines will undergo a range of modifications by FRD to establish both performance and safety parameters. FRD will engineer a package that will include developments to the e-Golf including roll cage, suspension, brake, racing seat, 6-point harness, wheel rim and fire extinguisher upgrades that meet racing safety standards for the race.
Additionally, the e-Golf will gain additional performance via a bespoke front splitter, rear wings, and side skirts to improve aerodynamic efficiency. Build and testing for the new car are expected to emerge in August.
The FIA Formula E weekend program provides race fans with a full day of races. The e-Golf machines will have two practice sessions ahead of a 15-minute qualifying and 20 minute race event, which will be sanctioned by the Hong Kong Automobile Association.
Modification of the first e-Golf for the race was completed earlier this month and the car was successfully tested on 19 July. FRD will confirm the final specifications for the e-Golf and will commence the full field build soon to prepare for this one-make race.
The 10-turn Hong Kong ePrix circuit uses the existing roads with drivers racing past Hong Kong’s internationally recognized landmarks on the Central Harborfront. Having sold out the initial allotment of tickets, event organizers recently announced plans to grow the grandstand seating for the event three-fold as Hong Kong plays host to the first major international motorsport race in the city in over 30 years.
With a strong and growing motorsports engagement in Asia, FRD as well as the organizers of the Formula E Hong Hong ePrix hope that the event speeds the development of more motorsports events in Hong Kong in the future.
July 22, 2016
