The concept of playing to the crowd hasn't been as applicable in auto racing as it is in other sports such as basketball or baseball, but that could change. That's because Formula E, the all-electric vehicle racing circuit that heads into its second season next month, is adding a feature that will allow fans to vote on which competitors will get a little shot of extra power during the race. It's called FanBoost, and it's been updated for the new season.
Fans can take to social media to cast votes for their favorite drivers during the first six minutes of each race, and Formula E has teamed with "real-time fan-engagement" provider Telescope to make this a reality. The result is that the three most popular racing teams will get an extra 100 kilojoules of juice during the race. The feature will debut for the Formula E race in Beijing on October 24. Previously, fans could vote for racers to get Fanboosts before the race started.
The updated Fanboost is just the latest effort circuit organizers are trying out to spur more interest in the series. Earlier this month, Formula E said it would increase the maximum-allowable power in the vehicles to 170 kilowatts, up from 150 kilowatts last season. Other changes for the series' second season include the additions of Jacques Villeneuve, the French-Canadian racer and son of the legendary Gilles Villeneuve, and Switzerland's Simona de Silvestro, who will be the first full-time female Formula E driver. Take a look at Formula E's press release about the new FanBoost below.
Related Video:
Fans can take to social media to cast votes for their favorite drivers during the first six minutes of each race, and Formula E has teamed with "real-time fan-engagement" provider Telescope to make this a reality. The result is that the three most popular racing teams will get an extra 100 kilojoules of juice during the race. The feature will debut for the Formula E race in Beijing on October 24. Previously, fans could vote for racers to get Fanboosts before the race started.
The updated Fanboost is just the latest effort circuit organizers are trying out to spur more interest in the series. Earlier this month, Formula E said it would increase the maximum-allowable power in the vehicles to 170 kilowatts, up from 150 kilowatts last season. Other changes for the series' second season include the additions of Jacques Villeneuve, the French-Canadian racer and son of the legendary Gilles Villeneuve, and Switzerland's Simona de Silvestro, who will be the first full-time female Formula E driver. Take a look at Formula E's press release about the new FanBoost below.
Related Video:
In-race voting for FanBoost in season two |25 SEP 15
Formula E fans will have the chance to boost their favourite driver during the races this season following changes confirmed to this unique socially interactive concept.
Starting at the Beijing ePrix on October 24, voting for FanBoost will remain open during the opening six minutes of the race.
As well as being able to vote during the race, fans will also find it much easier to have their say as changes to the voting system will make it possible to vote using a hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This has been achieved through a partnership with Telescope, the global leader in real-time fan engagement.
Voting will be possible through the official Formula E website and app and fans will be able to vote once a day through each of the available channels. As was the case during season one, FanBoost voting will open 12 days before the race takes place, which means that voting will open for the Beijing ePrix on Monday, October 12.
As a result of these changes FanBoost will only be available on the car that the drivers get into following their mid-race car swap.
Unlike last year FanBoost will provide an extra 100kJ of energy to be used in a power window between 180kW and 200kW.
This presents the three winning teams and drivers with a strategic call to make. Do they raise the power for a short boost or run at a slightly lower power for a prolonged period? As before, FanBoost can only be used once, rather than in a series of short bursts.
Ali Russell, Director of Media and Strategic Partnerships at Formula E, said: "FanBoost is a uniquely fan engaging element of our series and by being able to vote during the race the level of engagement will increase significantly, creating a real-time relationship between drivers, teams and fans. We are delighted to partner with Telescope, who have a proven track record in this field, and with their expertise we will evolve the FanBoost concept to become a standard bearer for fan interactivity in sport."
Jason George, CEO of Telescope, added: "Today's hyper-connected fans are constantly looking for ways to get ever-closer to their favourite sports. We are proud to partner with Formula E to do just that – granting fans the capability to have a meaningful and exciting impact during a live race. These live mechanics have the power to change the face of sports as we know it – turning audiences from passive onlookers to active participants."
Formula E fans will have the chance to boost their favourite driver during the races this season following changes confirmed to this unique socially interactive concept.
Starting at the Beijing ePrix on October 24, voting for FanBoost will remain open during the opening six minutes of the race.
As well as being able to vote during the race, fans will also find it much easier to have their say as changes to the voting system will make it possible to vote using a hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This has been achieved through a partnership with Telescope, the global leader in real-time fan engagement.
Voting will be possible through the official Formula E website and app and fans will be able to vote once a day through each of the available channels. As was the case during season one, FanBoost voting will open 12 days before the race takes place, which means that voting will open for the Beijing ePrix on Monday, October 12.
As a result of these changes FanBoost will only be available on the car that the drivers get into following their mid-race car swap.
Unlike last year FanBoost will provide an extra 100kJ of energy to be used in a power window between 180kW and 200kW.
This presents the three winning teams and drivers with a strategic call to make. Do they raise the power for a short boost or run at a slightly lower power for a prolonged period? As before, FanBoost can only be used once, rather than in a series of short bursts.
Ali Russell, Director of Media and Strategic Partnerships at Formula E, said: "FanBoost is a uniquely fan engaging element of our series and by being able to vote during the race the level of engagement will increase significantly, creating a real-time relationship between drivers, teams and fans. We are delighted to partner with Telescope, who have a proven track record in this field, and with their expertise we will evolve the FanBoost concept to become a standard bearer for fan interactivity in sport."
Jason George, CEO of Telescope, added: "Today's hyper-connected fans are constantly looking for ways to get ever-closer to their favourite sports. We are proud to partner with Formula E to do just that – granting fans the capability to have a meaningful and exciting impact during a live race. These live mechanics have the power to change the face of sports as we know it – turning audiences from passive onlookers to active participants."
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