106 replies to this topic

[Vielleicht]

Welcome to the Autosport Forum 100% Unofficial Formula E Inspired Street Circuit Design Competition!

Many of you are probably familiar with the Forum’s annual unofficial F1 livery competitions held during the off season - a chance for those frustrated by uninspiring liveries to show the race teams how it should be done (or indeed just to have a bit of fun).

Popular demand on the FE threads means that now is your chance to do the same for Formula E street circuits! The series is famed for its exclusive use of temporary city/street venues, a feature met by as much criticism as it has praise through its short history to date. Shamelessly built off the back of this major talking point, this competition wants your ideas for a street/temporary race circuit within the limits of any city on this here planet. Maybe you’re FE’s next circuit design team hire or maybe you’ve just always wanted a track that goes outside your front door (however improbable that may be), everyone is welcome!

All you really need to take part is a mapping tool or graphics package of your choice. I have tended to use Google Earth for this, though a screenshot of the city area modified in Paint to show a route would also work very well.

The Rules
1. The length of your circuit should somewhere in the region of 1.5 to 3.0 miles (2.5-5 km) in length
2. The layout should be original - it should not be too similar to any circuit currently or previously in use
3. The circuit should be temporary and within the official city limits of your chosen location (make of that what you will)
4. Entries should at least specify a route, the direction and start-line/pit-lane locations. Further details (grandstands, etc.) are welcome but not necessary.
5. Entries should take the form of a single, aerial-view image of your circuit (see below)

 

 

Winner has the everlasting honour of being called the inaugural winner of the Unofficial Formula E Street Circuit Design Competition! Not much else I’m afraid, other than also probably organising the second edition…

 Timetable
- Competition opens 24th August 2019
- Entries close on the 6th October 2019, 23:59 UTC
- Voting will then commence until the 13th October, after which the winner will be crowned.

The main objective is to have a bit of fun before the new season gets going, so… happy mapping!
 

[B Squared]

This should be enough room.

Edited by B Squared, 24 August 2019 - 13:44.

[Ben1445]

Great! This sounds like it'll be good fun. Count me in! 

[thegamer23]

Yay, can't wait to study a nice realistic design for the contest.

Great idea Vielleicht!

[Ben1445]

Will we be allowed multiple entries? 

[Vielleicht]

Will we be allowed multiple entries?

I don’t see why not - seemed to be allowed for the livery competitions. Two or three probably wouldn’t hurt. Let’s see how it goes...

[PayasYouRace]

I’ve definitely got one in mind.

Edit: I’ll need some time this evening to get all the google views together. But let’s just say the course is a tortuous one...

[Vielleicht]

Sounds very ominous indeed...

[thegamer23]

I’ve definitely got one in mind.

Edit: I’ll need some time this evening to get all the google views together. But let’s just say the course is a tortuous one...

Good for a flatout race! 🤙

I think i'll try making a FE track in Imola using both the Autodromo & parts of the city!

[PayasYouRace]

The E-Prix of Gibraltar: Presented by Peter E-stinov.

aka

3eme Grand Prix du Roc (why is it in French? No idea)

OK. So not since 1959 has the Grand Prix du Roc been held. That chaotic and ultimately farcical Grand Prix was remembered for not a single entrant finishing, despite the brilliant performance of Jose Julio Fandango to challenge the Silver Arrows of Schnorcedes. That race was only the second GP in Gib, and the result was similar to the very first GP du Roc in 1906, when hulks of racing cars famously filled the harbour.

The original course was unfortunately lost to memory, but for a rather generalised description in a popular radio broadcast of the race. Apart from that, all records of the race were destroyed after it was discovered that Soviet spies were using the event as cover for covert intelligence gathering on The Rock's defences. So for the new E-Prix, organised by the new forward thinking government (The Chief Minister's official car is a Tesla (for real)) uses a brand new circuit, but it will prove every bit as challenging as the old. A 3 km circuit with over 70 m of elevation change, it will push the FE car to its limits.

Lets take a look.

The start finish line is on Rosia Road, and the course runs clockwise. Grandstands can be set up along La Bateria alongside, with the Eucalyptus trees providing beautiful cover. The pits are located on Red Sands Road, using Grand Parade as a paddock.



Sadly, there's no Google Street View for all this, so I'll use some close up Earth images to set the scene.

The lap begins with a 90 degree uphill right hander at the Picadilly Gardens (1), which should provide a decent overtaking opportunity from top speed. Straight out of that, it's a steep climb up Boyd St. and a slightly more open right hander over the bridge (2).



The climb continues via Europa Rd. through fast sweeps past The Rock Hotel and finally we reach the highest point of the circuit just past the old Casino. This should be reminiscent of the climb from Ste. Devote to Massenet at Monaco, but a bit less straight.



Now things get intense. At the top of South Barrack Rd. we have a fast chicane (3). Imagine the old Variante Alta at Imola, but the circuit plunges downhill at the left hand apex. The drop continues through sweeping bends at (4) before a short flat straight. Then at South Barrack Ramp, another downhill plunge at a blind right hander (5), with another tricky right at the bottom.



The flat S's (really more like R's) at South Barracks provide a slight respite before another steep drop by North Pavilion (6), with a 90 degree left at the bottom of the hill. A short straight and yet another blind-over-crest right hander at South Pavilion (7). Charging downhill, the circuit rounds the difficult sweep at the entrance to Vineyards (8) before a very tough downhill braking zone at Nelson's Hairpin (9). That's Lord Nelson, not Nelson Piquet. It was here that his body was brought ashore after the Battle of Trafalgar. One for the history buffs there.



Next is what could be considered FE's answer to Eau Rouge. At the 100 Ton Gun, the circuit feints left before climbing to the right in a fast sweeper (10). A short straight past the police station, before a downhill combination that is similar in shape at No.1 Dock (11) round Cumberland Buildings and with the iconic white stone clock tower next to the track.



We finish the lap with a set of flat out kinks under the trees at New Harbours (12) before the flat out start finish straight. But watch out for the dip just after the pit entry.



So that's my entry. Hopefully there will be at least one finisher this time.

[Ben1445]

Oooh that sets the ‘selling your idea’ bar nice and high! I’ve got some serious route plotting to do now... (and I love it)

[thegamer23]

Already quality entries, love the flowing sections & the elevation changes of that track.

This is going to be good.

I can also try to replicate the winner's circuit in 3D using a circuit editor for rFactor & Assetto Corsa, or at least some renderings.

Edited by thegamer23, 25 August 2019 - 08:17.

[Ben1445]

This is slightly harder than I thought   got a layout I'm happy with I just can't find anywhere completely sensible to put to pit-lane...

[PayasYouRace]

This is slightly harder than I thought   got a layout I'm happy with I just can't find anywhere completely sensible to put to pit-lane...

 

Going by real life, FE has that same problem.

[Vielleicht]

This is slightly harder than I thought   got a layout I'm happy with I just can't find anywhere completely sensible to put to pit-lane...

Ah well, just anywhere vaguely sensible will do

[Ben1445]

Ok, I've got an entry that I can pull together for this afternoon   This is actually real good fun... 

[LucaP]

Honolulu GP

 

length about 5 km

 

I could be a more flowing design for Indycar, but given it's Formula E I've had to break the long backstraight with two left-right chicanes..

It runs anti-clockwise.

 

The start/finish straight it's a wide avenue, so there's a lane on the left that could be used as a pitlane.

 

free image hosting no sign up

Edited by Luca Pacchiarini, 25 August 2019 - 12:20.

[PayasYouRace]

I like the bridges. Final section looks like it would have some good flow to it too.

[Ben1445]

Ok, I have an entry... 
 
The Halifax ePrix 

Located in Nova Scotia, Canada, the Halifax Peninsular Street Circuit Is like a blend of flowing road course and downtown street racing. The Citadel Hill spectator area offers a unique viewing experience at the most exciting part of the track, giving a natural grandstand view of Rainnie Rise and Brunswick Hairpin. The Scotiabank Centre at the base of the hill offers a place for the eVillage, hosting exhibits and driver autograph sessions. 
 
Form the start line, T1 (Rainnie Rise) is quick left hander at the crest of a hill and leads into a sharp downhill run to a hairpin-like T2 (Brunswick Hairpin). A slight downhill run to a double right hander of T3-4 is followed  by an even slighter climb up to T5, which leads the cars onto Duke Street for another steep downhill run towards T6. This is followed by a wide, 700m, up-and-down sweeping back-straight towards the long uphill of T7 (Valour Turn) which gives the FE cars a real chance to stretch their legs. Another uphill climb to the left hand T8 (Cornwallis) is followed by a short run back up Brunswick street and another right a T9 takes the cars to the last climb, sweeping up towards T10 at Gottingen St and back towards the start line.

 
With wide streets and seemingly endless elevation changes, The Halifax Street Circuit would be an instant classic to any racing calendar. Honestly, go and take a look on StreetView at some of these turns - they are wild! 

Edited by Ben1445, 25 August 2019 - 13:48.

[PayasYouRace]

I’ll have to explore the street view but it looks great. I like the use of the hillside for spectator banking,a and parts of it remind me of old Detroit and Denver circuits. You got that pit lane in there too.

 

Edit: Just had a look round it. 

[Ben1445]

I’ll have to explore the street view but it looks great. I like the use of the hillside for spectator banking,a and parts of it remind me of old Detroit and Denver circuits. You got that pit lane in there too.

 

When flipped... 

 

...yeah I see it! 

[thegamer23]

Man, that hilly Halifax GP circuit sounds like a city street version of Brands Hatch!

Agag, are you watching over this thread already?   

Edited by thegamer23, 25 August 2019 - 14:03.

[Vielleicht]

Looking good so far!

[Frood]

I’ll have to explore the street view but it looks great. I like the use of the hillside for spectator banking,a and parts of it remind me of old Detroit and Denver circuits. You got that pit lane in there too.

 

Edit: Just had a look round it. 

 

Definitely a good spectator banking - as seen here!

 

[PayasYouRace]

Frood you've outdone yourself there and introduced me to a series that I never knew even existed. The American Indycar Series.

 

Though I'm slightly disappointed that Ben's entry isn't totally original now.

[Ben1445]

Frood you've outdone yourself there and introduced me to a series that I never knew even existed. The American Indycar Series.

 

Though I'm slightly disappointed that Ben's entry isn't totally original now.

Not as much as I am, I'll bet! I just did a panicked search for the old layout to work out how much I'd overlapped with it. Thankfully it's not by much, only the 

small bit at the Citadel Hill section... but I really should have done my research beforehand... 

 

Maybe that means I'll just have to work on another totally original one before the deadline... oh no...what a shame...

[PayasYouRace]

Not as much as I am, I'll bet! I just did a panicked search for the old layout to work out how much I'd overlapped with it. Thankfully it's not by much, only the 

small bit at the Citadel Hill section... but I really should have done my research beforehand... 

 

Maybe that means I'll just have to work on another totally original one before the deadline... oh no...what a shame...

 

I love that you didn't know it existed either. My disappointment is replaced with pure joy as it means you did come up with it all by yourself.

[Frood]

Just to let you know, Ben - I wasn't trying to call you out. I'd only had a vague memory of hearing about a course in Halifax before to be honest and I didn't even realise it overlapped until I went looking either.

[Vielleicht]

Not as much as I am, I'll bet! I just did a panicked search for the old layout to work out how much I'd overlapped with it. Thankfully it's not by much, only the 

small bit at the Citadel Hill section... but I really should have done my research beforehand...

I would say that it doens't really matter and the rules only say that it musn't be *too* simlilar (a test which I think that layout passes with flying colours)....

 

Maybe that means I'll just have to work on another totally original one before the deadline... oh no...what a shame...

....but I also get the sense that you were wanting to do this anyway

[Ben1445]

Just to let you know, Ben - I wasn't trying to call you out. I'd only had a vague memory of hearing about a course in Halifax before to be honest and I didn't even realise it overlapped until I went looking either.

No worries at all, and now we all know there was indeed a street track in Halifax  everyone's a winner.

[f1paul]

Loving the designs so far. Good stuff!

[Lotus72b]

I wanna try this. I've designing racetracks since I was a kid, but never a street circuit.

[Vielleicht]

My leading option right now is something of a cross between a current FE circuit and a former F1 street track...neither of which received particularly glowing reviews on their debuts. There is a strong chance I have gone entirely mad.

[PayasYouRace]

My leading option right now is something of a cross between a current FE circuit and a former F1 street track...neither of which received particularly glowing reviews on their debuts. There is a strong chance I have gone entirely mad.

 

 

Given that I made a track based on a work of satirical fiction from the 1950s, you're probably doing OK.

[Vielleicht]

Given that I made a track based on a work of satirical fiction from the 1950s, you're probably doing OK.

I had a listen to some of that earlier - was delighted at the mention of a D’Ambrosio within the first minute. It’s almost as if it was meant to be!

[Ben1445]

My leading option right now is something of a cross between a current FE circuit and a former F1 street track...neither of which received particularly glowing reviews on their debuts. There is a strong chance I have gone entirely mad.

It had better not be South Korea because building a track, saying it's got street course-y bits only you're fitting the buildings in at a later date a) didn't work and b) would be cheating 

[Vielleicht]

It had better not be South Korea because building a track, saying it's got street course-y bits only you're fitting the buildings in at a later date a) didn't work and b) would be cheating 

It was in fact Valencia I was refering to (I'll see if I can get it ready today) but you actually raise an interesting point. If you read Rule 3 (especally the telling brackets) it only says that it should be within city limits and temporary in nature. That was mainly to account for Berlin/Santiago type layouts which Formula E visits, but thinking about it would imply that building a custom section of track would be permissable as long as it wouldn't be usable all year and is within city limits. There's plenty of precedent for it - Singapore's Marina Bay, Miami's Bicentennial Park (always liked that one), Melbourne's Albert Park, Adelaide, Marrakesh's current layout used by FE and, actually, quite large sections of the lap at Le Mans dating back to the 70s.

 

^{(I am defintely not a circuit nerd)}

 

Yeongam's approach, however, would indeed be hard to justify as keeping within the spirit of the competiton, even if it was within city limits!

Edited by Vielleicht, 26 August 2019 - 14:51.

[teejay]

I'd love to draw up one for my home town but I am useless with the tech side. 

 

I'll put some time into over the weekend! 

[Vielleicht]

As long as the route/location is clear the entry is perfect and very welcome (could be a photo of some spaghetti stuck to a city bus map in all honesty) the point is to enjoy the fun!

Edited by Vielleicht, 27 August 2019 - 10:37.

[Vielleicht]

Ok. It is time for an entry of my own.

 

This track is based on some rumors that did the rounds about an FE race in Lisbon, Portugal. Those seem to have gone quiet for now, but I wanted to look at what FE could realistically have done in the city. As fun as it would have been to hold a race in the very centre or to revive the 1959 F1 Grand Prix track of Monsanto Park, neither really offered a particularly beleivable venue which Formula E might be able to visit.
 
Looking for an alternative leads us to the city neighbourhood of Belém - a very popular tourist stop thanks to the area's musems and the beautiful examples of Manueline architecture at the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower. A very short (5min) walk from the tower itself leads us to the the location of the track. This proximity to one of Lisbon’s tourist hotspots as well as circuit public access being a mere underpass away from both a railway and bus station adds to the attractiveness of the site. Picture it as a sort of middle ground between FE’s Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and F1’s (admittedly ill fated) Valencia Harbour circuits. It's even got an golden-age, exotic-sounding fancy racetrack name. This is the Circuito de Belém-Algés.

 

Driving a lap would start on the gently curving pit straight towards the first complex of turns - a set of three corners alternating direction and tightening into a hairpin. These corners take us out of the port onto the surrounding roads. A long straight follows, leading to a chicane over what is normally a roundabout. Following the roads some more, the cars swing by a small beach, weave around a restaurant and back onto the port and out along the wide harbour wall. A hairpin in full view of gathered yachts offers some atmosphere and VIP viewing. This is followed by a right handler, a quick left-right a la Monaco’s Swimming Pool section and another right hand bend to finish the lap.

[thegamer23]

This is just a little gem of circuit design. 
Love the details on it, the grid, the kerbs, the escape roads. This could be mistaken for an official FE circuit reveal image. 

Quality stuff my friend       

I like the circuit itself too. It's like a mix between Punta del Este & New York. Some serious fast sections, pretty fast chicanes & a bit of a more technical, final sector. 
 

Edited by thegamer23, 27 August 2019 - 20:06.

[f1paul]

I've got to be honest, I cannot do technology and have no idea how to do that Google Earth thing.

 

So this is something I have found but it obviously does not count as an entry.

 

 

As you can see it is not even joined up and the bit where it is not joined is the start/finish line. It's anti-clockwise just like the Bern circuit.

 

It's a very fast circuit and crosses over a few times. I see it as two Brands Hatch Indy circuits crossing over each other. 

 

Edit: Street Circuit? Definitely, you can get noodles in a street but definitely not at Spa.

Edited by f1paul, 27 August 2019 - 20:12.

[Jovanotti]

Looking for an alternative leads us to the city neighbourhood of Belém - a very popular tourist stop thanks to the area's musems and the beautiful examples of Manueline architecture at the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower.

Thanks man, it's 11pm here in middle Europe and now I'm craving a Pastel de Nata...

Edited by Jovanotti, 27 August 2019 - 20:17.

[Vielleicht]

Thanks man, it's 11pm here in middle Europe and now I'm craving a Pastel de Nata...

Ohhh same, they are good.

[PayasYouRace]

Lisbon

 

I like what you've done with it. Simple but with enough to keep a driver interested. Very believable as an FE street track too.

[Atreiu]

Nice. I'd do something in Brasilia around Parque da Cidade and Centro de Convenções Ultsses Guimarães.

[FredrikB]

Stockholm E-prix coming later... 

Racing past the Royal Castle, Parlament, Old Town and more and just meters from the sea. 

 

Can we race on cobblestones? 

[Ben1445]

Ok. It is time for an entry of my own.

 

This is the Circuito de Belém-Algés.

Damn that's some real fancy presentation. And I was proud of myself for wrapping my head around Google Earth's Path tools! 

 

Like the layout as well. Nice mix of streets and blank canvas with some nice corner complexes. I'd love to see it raced on. 

Edited by Ben1445, 28 August 2019 - 07:02.

[Vielleicht]

Stockholm E-prix coming later... 

Racing past the Royal Castle, Parlament, Old Town and more and just meters from the sea. 

 

Can we race on cobblestones? 

FE has raced on tracks with cobblestone sections, they've just laid down some temporary tarmac over a protective layer so it can be returned to cobbles after the race. So sure, I don't see why not

[Peat]

I penned a nice layout around Oxford, UK. Taking in views of the colleges and architecture. 

But, politcally it's a total non-starter. The council (and populace) simply wouldn't accept closing down retail streets for weeks.