Mid-Ohio American Le Mans Series: A Great Weekend for Biofuels
by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Green Racing fans have been waiting for a weekend like this – a big-time race where biofuel powered cars just dominated. We’re big supporters of the American Le Mans sports car series (ALMS) for its leadership in promoting the combination of performance and “Green” energy.
Forrest Jehlik, DOE Argonne National Lab, explains Green Racing to fans at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course photo: J.Ivancic
In conjunction with the US EPA and Dept. of Energy, ALMS started the Green Racing Challenge in 2008, now the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge. While biofuel powered cars have been winners of the Green Challenge, never before had they been victorious in both prototype and production car classes at the same time.
On Saturday, August 7th a bio-isobutanol fueled Mazda Lola prototype and an E-85 powered Ferrari F340 did just that.
And, to complete the hat-trick, the Drayson Lola Judd, running on Iogen cellulosic ethanol won the pole position with a qualifying run of 116.07 mph. This was so overwhelming it was nearly 1.5 mph faster than the 2nd place time of 114.54 mph.
On top of that, the 2 hour and 45 minute road race up and down and around the hills of the beautiful Mid-Ohio course had some of the best racing seen in years. It was close, exciting, and ultimately a nail-biter for those who won and for those who came in second.
So who says alcohols aren’t powerful fuels?
For those who couldn’t make it to Lexington, Ohio for the race (and for those who can’t wait to see it again), CBS will be rebroadcasting the race this coming Sunday, August 15th at 12:30 pm EDT. (Check listings for your local time.)
Over the next few days, Advanced Biofuels USA will post a number of articles providing more detail about the races, the fuels powering the winning cars and the history of the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge as part of our continuing Green Racing coverage.
Related posts:
- Green Earth Technologies Inks Deal Naming G-Oil(TM) as Official Motor Oil of the American Le Mans Series and IMSA
- American Le Mans Series Supporting Global ReLeaf
- Iogen’s Cellulosic Ethanol Drives Drayson Racing to Michelin® Green X® Challenge First Place Finish In American Le Mans Utah Race
- Le Mans 24h – Strakka Wins the MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge
- Iogen Energy’s Cellulosic Ethanol Helps Fuel Drayson Racing in American Le Mans Series
