Today, Formula E have announced that round seven of the series will take place at Long Beach, California, USA.
The race will be known as the Long Beach ePrix and becomes the second race of the first season that will take place in the United States.
Organisers also confirmed that the Long Beach race will be one of two that forms part of the championship’s Legacy Programme giving free access to fans with a focus on attracting school and university students from the nearby area to appeal to a new generation of motorsport fans and promote the electric vehicle industry.
The move will play a central role in Formula E’s hope of promoting, educating and improving the perception of the electric car and the industry.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Terrace Theatre Plaza, which
overlooks part of the circuit, and was hosted by Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, the CEO of Formula E Alejandro Agag and driver Lucas di Grassi.
Foster spoke of immense pride at the announcement: “Long Beach is proud to be among the elite group of international cities hosting the FIA Formula E Championship,” He added: “The Long Beach ePrix will bring a new generation of race fans to the iconic streets of Long Beach.”
The choice of Long Beach was made due to it’s history and pedigree in large events, such as Formula 1 which it hosted for seven years. In the present day, California’s prominence in the electric car industry made it a natural fit, with the state the number one market for plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) sales with around 12% of national sales alone occurring in the South California area.
Alejandro Agag, Formula E CEO, said: “We are very thankful to Mayor Bob Foster and all the city authorities for their warm reception here today and for welcoming the new all-electric FIA Formula E Championship to Long Beach as hosts of round seven.” The CEO added: “I have every confidence that the people of Long Beach and Southern California are going to experience a revolutionary, and of course very exciting, new racing event come April 2015.”
With Lucas Di Grassi set to be one of the 20 drivers who will race here, the experienced driver said: “Long Beach is one of the most iconic city tracks in the world. This is the perfect place for Formula E to showcase innovation and sustainability.”
With California’s role in the electric automotive industry, the venue is a natural fit for the Formula E series.
