A circuit race in the mode of Formula 1 or NASCAR, where all the cars are 100% electric. Pit stops would be used to swap out the batteries
-- simonj, Apr 29 2012

F1 EasyFit Digital Plug http://www.scalextr...syfit-digital-plug/
"Vroom" [skinflaps, Apr 30 2012]

for big kids! big_20kids_20scalextric_20racing
[po, Apr 30 2012]

For [UnaBubba] http://www.grinderg...ull/le_merid113.jpg
She's not the only 'grinder girl' out there. She's not even the first. [Alterother, May 01 2012]

Nice but... lots of electric races have been proposed. If you Google "electric formula 1" you'll get lots of hits.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 29 2012


Oh, I think we can make allowances for [simonj]'s idea... however, this will involve pit stops not so much being to swap out batteries but for the car to be recharged instantly with a massive bolt of electricity, similar to a lightning strike.

That would be worth watching.
-- UnaBubba, Apr 29 2012


Can't the cars be powered by overhead pickups, in the same way that dodgems are powered?
-- hippo, Apr 30 2012


Or even better, brushless pickups. That way you get less friction AND huge arcs of high voltage eckletricity.
-- erenjay, Apr 30 2012


Life size slot cars?

NiCad batteries can be recharged in a flash with an arc welder... I have a feeling lithium ones tend to explode when given the same treatment though.
-- mitxela, Apr 30 2012


There's only one way to find out.
-- hippo, Apr 30 2012


//Life sized slot cars?// Overtaking is for the weak.
-- erenjay, Apr 30 2012


// There's only one way to find out. //

Underwriter's Laboratories already has, no doubt. Gods, I would love to work there.
-- Alterother, Apr 30 2012


Or try Life-sized Matchbox tracks, with rubber-band launch action.
-- RayfordSteele, Apr 30 2012


Wait, wait, wait... This is a seriously good idea, let's not turn it into a list of upscaled-toy proposals.

I know there is an electric drag racing association of some type here in the US. I really like the idea of electric open- wheel racing, with the cars independent of any kind of rail, runner, or trace.

Ever since I discovered the unbelievable amount of torque that an electric forklift or carry-deck can crank out (we used to tow full-sized freight cars across the shop with them), I've toyed with the idea of an all-electric 4x4 rock crawler. Only problem I can forsee is running out of juice in an unfortunately remote place; I'd need one hella long extension cord.
-- Alterother, Apr 30 2012


It is a seriously good idea, but I contend (with no disrespect to [simonj]) that the idea of electric racing (including so-called "Formula 1") has been widely circulated already.
-- MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 30 2012


With hundreds of van der Graaf generators along pit lane.
-- UnaBubba, Apr 30 2012


"He's in the pit, crew's over the wall..."

Vreeoooo, vrew, vrew!

"...looks like they've gone with a full tire change..."

Vreeeeeeooooo-gh-gh-ghug!

"...and now for the charge...

ZZZZZAAAAAAAPPPPPPT-P-KOW!!!

"Wow, that almost got away from them, but it's alright and he's away clean in... 11.3 seconds! A new track record and just an incredible performance by this veteran pit crew. Let's go trackside with Maria..."
-- Alterother, Apr 30 2012


<Voltswagen>
-- AusCan531, May 01 2012


Can-Ampere Series?
-- UnaBubba, May 01 2012


Charging down the straight...
-- AusCan531, May 01 2012


Actually, this would be a very interesting application for dynamic motivators, given the extreme braking forces the cars apply going into corners. I think weight is the major hurdle to overcome here.
-- Alterother, May 01 2012


// Gods, I would love to work there //

Not as much as you would love working at BASEEFA, where it's Christmas every day …

What happens if you're competing in the Classic Sports category and your DeLorean hits 88 mph … ?
-- 8th of 7, May 01 2012


//BASEEFA//

I'm really not so much into stuff that blows up. I've found plenty of novel ways to get hurt without messing around with bombs.

I'm pretty much a one-man destructive test platform, though. I don't abuse tools, but I expect the most out of them and often find their limits. I've lost track of how many angle grinders I've burned out (Milwaulkees especially; they suck), except for my little DeWalt that I got in school. It seems to live a charmed life. I'm a regular claimant of the Craftsman guarantee.

// What happens if you're competing in the Classic Sports category and your DeLorean hits 88 mph … ? //

You get your doors blown off by a Ferrari Daytona doing about 110, that's what.
-- Alterother, May 01 2012


4in for the fingers, 9in for the toes?
-- UnaBubba, May 01 2012


//I've lost track of how many angle grinders I've burned out (Milwaulkees especially; they suck)//
No, you're confusing them with the vacuum cleaner
-- AbsintheWithoutLeave, May 01 2012


Probably best not to use an angle grinder near one's genitals.
-- UnaBubba, May 01 2012


Have I got a <link> for you.
-- Alterother, May 01 2012


Good link [Alter]. You hadn't previously said how you'd been burning out all those angle grinders. Have you considered a correspondence course on lock picking?
-- AusCan531, May 01 2012


I wondered how she got that nasty cut.
-- UnaBubba, May 01 2012


Due to the necessary delay of electrochemical reaction transition times, you really can't charge a battery this way; it would simply fry just inside the terminals. A capacitor, perhaps, if you don't melt the contacts in the process.
-- RayfordSteele, May 02 2012



random, halfbakery