Spark Racing Technology
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Frédéric Vasseur |
| Headquarters | Tigery, France |
| Website | sparkracingtechnology |
Spark Racing Technology (SRT) is a motorsport manufacturer specialized in the development and engineering of high-performance electric vehicles and modules. The company was founded by Frédéric Vasseur to become the sole chassis supplier for the FIA Formula E Championship but is now involved in other projects as well.
History[edit]
The company was officially registered in October 2012.[1]
Formula E[edit]
In 2010, Frédéric Vasseur's ART Grand Prix team built the Formulec EF01 car in an effort to get a supplier deal for the newly forming all-electric series. It was later chosen as the base vehicle for the development of the new chassis.[2] In November 2012, the Formula E promoter and organiser, Formula E Holdings, declared that Spark Racing Technology was officially mandated to design and build all 40 Spark-Renault SRT_01E single-seaters.[3]
SRT01-e[edit]
The car was developed in collaboration with McLaren Electronic Systems, Williams Advanced Engineering, Dallara and Renault.[4] In the inaugural season, all teams ran this car as the series was fully spec. Starting with the 2015–16 season, teams were allowed to develop their own powertrains and software with the other parts remaining spec. Teams had the option to revert to McLaren's "SRT01-e" powertrain from the inaugural season, which Team Aguri and Amlin Andretti took advantage of in the 2015–16 season. Spark updated the chassis for the 2016–17 season, introducing a more complex front wing.
The chassis was in competition for four seasons (2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17 and 2017–18) and 45 ePrix events.
SRT05e[edit]
The FIA put the chassis supply for the seasons 5 to 7 out to tender. Spark won the new tender with a completely redesigned chassis which included the halo safety device.[3] The chassis' lifespan was later extended to four seasons, with a visual update package originally planned for the car's third season (2020–21), being delayed to 2021–22, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] This update package is known as Gen2EVO.[6] However, the Gen2EVO never debuted as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened before season 8, prompting FIA to scrap the project.
Other projects[edit]
- In 2019, Spark was confirmed as the official car provider for the new Extreme E series.[3] The Extreme E SUV, the Spark Odyssey 21 was revealed at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed.[7]
- Spark Racing Technology is a shareholder and technical partner of FUELL.[8] The company, which is a partnership between Spark, Erik Buell and Vanguard Motorcycles, develops electric bikes.[9]
- The Beltoise BT01: The first vehicle of Beltoise eTechnology. A 100% electric GT, designed for competition and driving courses. The BT01 reconciles motorsport and sustainable development.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ "SPARK RACING TECHNOLOGY". Societe.com (in French). Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ "INSIGHT: Frédéric Vasseur, Spark Racing Technology". FIA Formula E. 8 May 2014. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ a b c "Our Story". Spark Racing Technology. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ "Formula E: Is this the future of motor racing?". Racecar Engineering. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ "Formula E to delay Gen2 EVO car". The Race. April 9, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Sam (18 January 2019). "Gen 2 Car Update, Extra Season Confirmed". e-racing365. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ Kilshaw, Jake (5 July 2019). "Extreme E Base Car Revealed at Goodwood". e-racing365. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ "Our Projects". Spark Racing Technology. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ "Erik Buell's New Electric Bike FUELL Fluid Details Revealed". CarAndBike. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ "BT01 – BELTOISE eTECHNOLOGY". BELTOISE eTECHNOLOGY.