The Sydney Eco 500

To say motor racing has had a muddled approach to electric vehicles, hybrid powertrains and alternative fuels is an understatement. On the one hand you have the FIA making significant modifications to the powertrain regulations to accommodate hybrids for Formula 1 and Sportscars. Then you have the FIA single sourcing the cells for Formula E, which effectively turns Formula E into a marketing formula that showcases all the ills of electric powertrains.

Then, of course, you have the electrification of World RallyCross that will produce a high performance car, whilst playing Russian roulette with the fan base.

And in the wake of Australian bush fires in the November 2019 to February 2020 time period, from a pure PR perspective, we in motor racing can no longer afford to carry on as if it’s business as usual.

The goal of this event is breathtakingly simple

Motorsport needs to take greater strides and, in order to regain the high ground, what I am proposing is an event called the Sydney Eco 500, to be run at Eastern Creek Raceway. The goal of this event is breathtakingly simple; see which carbon-neutral method of propulsion, whether electric or alternative fuel, can cover 500km