The Ashby canal is very beautiful but quite slow. It is fairly shallow and quite narrow in places so we travel at around 2mph most of the time. That is not a particular problem – no point being on a narrowboat if you are in a hurry – but it made the shock even greater when my younger son and I spent the weekend in London at the E-Prix.
Formula E is like Formula 1 but with electric cars. The drivers are world class – often ex Formula 1 drivers, or up and coming youngsters. The cars are largely based on the same chassis and 350kW power units but are built by different manufacturers such as Porsche and Jaguar. They have incredible torque. A modified car, driven by one of the Formula E drivers, got the indoor world speed record last week – 217mph.
And the track in London is very unusual. It is based at the Excel Exhibition centre, inside and outside the exhibition halls. This provides an extra challenge to the drivers, especially when it is raining. The two races at the weekend were the final two of the Formula E year and we saw Jake Dennis, a British driver, win the championship, even though he did not win either race (he was second and third).
We have been to several Formula 1 events in the past. Formula E was more friendly and quite a lot cheaper. I would go again.
So now we are back at the boat. And back to 2mph. 200mph was fun but I am glad to be back.
Pete's Blog 
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