The U.K. has not hosted a Formula E race since '16, when Battersea Park staged an event.GETTY IMAGES
Birmingham, England, is "close to clinching a deal to host" a Formula E race that would revive a tradition of street racing in Britain's "motor city," according to Andy Bounds of the FINANCIAL TIMES. West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said that he was in "advanced stages" of talks with Formula E to bring the racing series to Birmingham next year. A Formula E race has not been held in the U.K. "for nearly two years," after residents in southwest London forced the organizer to "abandon its course in Battersea Park." Street believes a Formula E race in Birmingham would "showcase the region's automotive industry, which is investing heavily in electric car technology." Jaguar Land Rover, which has its HQ in Coventry, has had a Formula E racing team since '16. Street said, "So much of the engineering that goes into the cars already used in Formula E racing comes from the West Midlands. It makes perfect sense we should be hosting such events" (FT, 5/7). REUTERS' Alan Baldwin reported a race in Britain's second-largest city "would bring back memories of the Birmingham Superprix," a Formula 3000 race that was held from '86-90 (REUTERS, 5/7).
