MOTOR racing fans will be treated to an electrifying sight at Donington Park as the cars that will compete in the inaugural Formula E race series take to the track for their first official test session on Thursday.
It will be the first public test session held at Donington since the 10 teams who will compete in the championship moved into purpose-built headquarters at the circuit in May.
Formula E, backed by motor sport's world governing body the FIA, is the world's first fully-electric race series. All teams will be using the Spark-Renault SRT_01E single-seater race car, which is capable of speeds up to 140mph, producing zero emissions.
Each team will run two drivers – and a number of top-level racers have already been confirmed, many of whom have previously raced in Formula One.
They include Jarno Trulli, who competed in more than 250 F1 races. The Italian will be competing in a car run by his own team, Trulli GP.
Germany's Nick Heidfeld is another driver with vast experience in F1.
He will be driving for the Venturi Formula E Team – an outfit in which Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio is a partner.
Starting in September, the 10-race series will be held right in the heart of cities such as Beijing, Buenos Aires, Berlin and London.
The aim will not only be to put on an entertaining spectacle but to showcase technology that is helping the sport become greener to a global audience. Formula E chose Donington as its base for a number of reasons. As well as having access to a circuit on which to test, bosses were attracted by the venue's close proximity to East Midlands Airport, the pool of talented engineers in the region and the proliferation of local companies involved in motor sport.
Alejandro Agag, chief executive of Formula E Holdings, said: "Donington Park has excellent facilities and with the teams located just a stone's throw from the circuit, it means we save on both costs and logistic emissions.
"It will be fascinating to see all cars running together for the first time – another significant milestone for the championship – and we hope by opening up all test days to the public, fans will be able to share this with us."
Christopher Tate, managing director of Donington Park Racing, said: "We are privileged to be able to offer Formula E a suitable combination of fabled motor sport history, an excellent test track and a global centre of excellence for the new technology.
"And now the general public will be able to watch it all, from the stands and from trackside."
Entry to Thursday's test session will be free, although fans have to register on Donington's website in advance.
And for those who are unable to attend, there will be plenty more opportunities to see the cars in action as further test sessions are planned for July 8, July 9, July 10 and August 19.
People interested in attending should pre-register at www.donington-park.co.uk.
