A new all-electric motorsport series called SuperCharge has been unveiled ahead of the planned launch in 2022.
The inaugural series is targeting eight events taking place right across the globe, in cities from Asia-Pacific, China, Europe, Middle East and USA, aiming to provide spectacular racing entertainment and ultimately promote the uptake of electric cars.
It will be a rather interesting competition as it plans to use a fully electric crossover road-car that will boast 500kW/670bhp of power from the battery and hit 100km/h in just 2.5 seconds, similar to the acceleration of an F1 car.
Each SuperCharge event is based on a knockout format that pits 16 cars and drivers drawn from eight teams against each other. It will be a series of 15 quick-fire races, with a maximum of six laps each depending on competition stage.
Supercharge is looking at an ‘amphitheatre’ concept, which can be adapted to suit a variety of urban venue settings from parks or street circuits to existing racetracks, which will ensure that live audiences will always be right in the heart of the action.
Every SuperCharge racetrack will feature four unique characteristics. The first is the 2.5m ramp that could project the cars up to 10 metres on every lap. Able to accommodate two or more cars abreast, it will be an integral racing element and core circuit feature, enabling drivers to utilise different jump entry and exit tactics.
Also, the circuit will have low friction zones that will allow the cars to slide, drift and touch, increasing the drama and proximity of the close-quarter racing. Every SuperTrack will also have a water gantry, adding yet another dimension to the circuit to test driver skill by creating a dry/wet/dry surface transition.
The final feature is the SuperLoop, a once-per-race lap extension that can be deployed tactically to gain an advantage over competing drivers, and which injects an extra dose of jeopardy into every race.
This unique format was created in order to give the public what they want while also promoting all-electric technology, SuperCharge Managing Director and co-founder Rob Armstrong explained.
“We have carefully conceived SuperCharge to take account of societal changes and to consider the needs of car companies, fans, commercial parties and venues in order to make a truly sustainable and commercially viable new series,” he said. “SuperCharge takes motorsport into a new and hugely relevant arena and we can’t wait to spark the series into life across the globe.”