This is the Statt Mann Baby. Time to Scatt a little bit.

The people at Formula E are selling their first generation electric race cars. And, for you cynics, there’s no extension cord or toaster for buying one.

Formula E

You probably laughed when word of the championship was announced in 2011. These full-sized RC cars weren’t good enough to make it through a full event. Drivers had to swap cars to make it to the checkered flag.

Well, after five seasons of racing, the Gen2 cars will be plugged in by December when the new season charges into 2019. And the Gen2 cars can make it through a full 45 minute timed race without losing battery power.

The old cars will be sold for about half their original half million dollar price tag. No balloons. No used car salesmen with checkered suits. And no gaudy no-down-payment bait-and-switch deals.

All 40 cars built for the first race in 2014 changed racing history. They were all built identical so any provenance will be for victories and things like sentimental value.

Car builders in the electric car business love the cars and series. It helped advance battery development. That only helps us, the car buyers. And that’s what racing should be about: research and development.

Peace.