Secondly. What is the least understood green system in motorsport? Obviously the answer is again the KERS system in F1.

So what the heck is it and why is it around? Well the first question is answered simplisticly by saying that it is a system that collects energy that would otherwise be wasted and releases it on demand to produce a burst of power to the vehicle. Currently there are two systems in use in F1. The most common is a system which stores the power in batteries, much like a giant capacitor. The second uses a flywheel. This system is favored by the Williams team.

In its first year of use, many of the teams did not use the KERS system. In addition to the cost, the benefit of the system itself was vigorously debated. The placement of the units created packaging problems, as well as limited the ability to place ballast in its optimum location.

This year, teams seem to be taking a different approach. Some have reportedly begun using smaller batteries which reduce the packaging issues. Thus some are REPORTEDLY only using the system for the start of the race.

Regardless, it is obvious the the systems will continue onboard F1 cars for the forseeable future. With the new engine formula, 1.6 turbos, we can expect to see more of the total power generated by the KERS system.

Arguably this is the most well known system in motorsport today.

AND, if anybody doubts the effect of it you just had to watch the start of the race yesterday in Sepang, Malaysia. Mark Webber, who’s system failed on the way to the grid, was left for dead at the start.

Look for the article later this week. I think you will find it interesting.

Russ Edwards

Simple really. As much as it may seem to be heresy to us traditionalists, change is coming. And its coming faster than most of us believe. While I firmly believe that the poppet valve, petrol engine will probably be around well past my lifetime, it wont be alone. Already we have hybrids, full electrics, plug in electric hybrids, low mass gasoline engined, and diesels. Not to mention rumors of fuel cells, hydrogen, and who knows what else, on or just over horizon.

But what does that have to do with motorsport? The answer is, everything my friend. Look around: How about the Kinetic Energy Recovery System in Formula 1? Or, the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid a real race car that uses hybrid technology? Do the Audi TDI cars that dominated endurance racing qualify as “green”? And now there is talk of an class for electric Karts. Just think, some of the attributes of a race car, such as light weight, low drag coefficient, good fuel economy are a perfect fit for the “green” movement.

In short, the world of motorsport will change, just as our daily drivers will. We will explore all the players and their results as we go forward. So come along with us it should be interesting.

Russ Edwards