Table of Contents

• • Overview
  • Green Racing Protocols
  • American Le Mans Series Green Challenge
  • MICHELIN® Green X® Challenge
  • Jetta TDI Cup
  • Motorsport Industry Association’s Energy Efficient Motorsport Initiative
  • TTXGP  (The Electric Motorcycle Races)
  • Mid-Ohio American Le Mans Series, August 2010
  • Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, September 2009

Overview

Some car racing is more relevant than others.  This page will focus on programs that promote technological innovations developed in car racing programs applied to make consumer cars go faster more efficiently and, especially, more sustainably.

For relevant articles, click on the Green Racing category along the right margin.

These include strange stories of chocolate-powered race cars and cashew-built ones; along with information about the use of cellulosic ethanol and bio-isobutanol in race cars and the development of race series dedicated to using auto racing as a platform for research on technologies for consumer applications.

Also, series of articles by Joanne Ivancic and Robert Kozak cover green racing as it develops in the American racing world.  Read interviews with leaders in race technology development and management with an emphasis on advanced biofuels.

Much is being done; so much more needs to be accomplished.  This page will recognize racing teams and series for how they encourage and promote development of technologies that will lead to more efficient use of resources, cleaner running transportation and conscientiousness about all the ways we can diminish the impact of human activities–necessary and recreational.

Green Racing Protocols

In 2006, members of the US Department  of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, SAE International, and several automotive industry leaders came together to form the Green Racing Working Group to develop the Green Racing Protocols. These protocols call for a joint DOE/EPA/SAE International awards program to incentivize, recognize, and reward automotive industry leaders that go the farthest and fastest with the smallest environmental footprint for energy used. Announced at the Detroit Auto Show, the American Le Mans Series became the first automotive racing series to adopt the Green Racing Protocols.   READ MORE

The protocols, SAE J2880, are available through SAE International.   If individuals are interested in acquiring the protocols, they can be ordered through SAE directly by calling 1-877-606-7323 (US & Canada) or 1-724-776-4970 (outside US & Canada) or purchased at the SAE web site.

American Le Mans Series Green Challenge

US DOE and EPA wanted to find a race series that would be prepared to listen to ideas about how to introduce green thinking and fuel efficiencies to the race track. SAE International was their first stop. Officials there told them there was only one fit – the American Le Mans Series. With a rules structure that not only allowed technical innovation but encouraged it, SAE International felt the world’s top sports car series would at least be intrigued.

After all, the American Le Mans Series was the only race series in the United States to have introduced multiple street legal alternative fuels to its grid. The first salvo came in 2006 with the introduction of a turbo diesel race car by Audi Sport North America. The following year, 2007, the Series introduced ethanol…but not rocket-to-the-moon ethanol. It was an E10 blend, a mixture of 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline which was virtually the same mix as the consumer could find at the service station, thus once again demonstrating the Series’ dedication to automotive relevance. Then in 2008 came E85, an 85 percent ethanol-gasoline blend. But again this wasn’t the normal food-chain ethanol. It was a cellulosic ethanol made from wood waste. Later that year, Corsa Motorsports working in conjunction with the Zytek Group, announced that it would run a full-season schedule in 2009 using a E10-electric hybrid.  READ MORE and MORE

Michelin® Green X® Challenge

Michelin entered into an environmentally-conscious partnership with the American Le Mans Series in 2009 to entitle the Series’ coveted Green ChallengeTM award presented to race teams at each race. Throughout the season, two teams – one prototype and one GT – that demonstrate the best overall performance and fuel efficiency with the least environmental impact will win the MICHELIN® Green X® Challenge award.  Michelin has signed on to continue to sponsor the award in the 2010 season.

This is not the first time Michelin has gotten into promoting “green” racing.  Eleven years ago, it created Challenge Bibendum, the world’s premier event for clean vehicles. Three years ago, it created the Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge at the world’s most famous auto race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in 2008 extended that award to all of the races on the European-based Le Mans Series.  READ MORE

Jetta TDI Cup

The Jetta TDI Cup claims to be “Green from Top to Bottom.”  In 2008, Volkswagen launched the Jetta TDI Cup series, the first all-diesel race series in North America.  It follows on a long history of one-make cups in touring car racing designed to be entry points and educational opportunities for young racing talent in other countries.  Sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America Pro Racing, young up and coming drivers between the ages of 16-26 compete in ten events on eight road courses in identical factory-prepared clean diesel Jetta TDI’s.  Each driver compeing in the series earns a Pro Racing license from SCCA at the conclusion of the season, with the overall champion taking a $100,000 prize.  EPA estimates the Jetta TDI at 30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway, earing it Green Car Journal‘s “2009 Green Car of the Year.”  In 2009, the development expanded to using B5 biodiesel.  Each car will consume approximately two tanks of this fule during race conditions, with overall carbon emissions produced by the series reduced by 2583 pounds by using this new fuel.  This fuel also powers the series’ equipment transport vehicles and generators. Training sessions include lessons about biodiesel. They also use biodegradable tableware, lounge furniture with high recycled content, energy-efficient lighting and water stations to reduce the use of plastic water bottles.  Promotional materials are printed on post-consumer, recycled material.  READ MORE

Motorsport Industry Association’s Energy Efficient Motorsport Initiative

Years ago, the folks at the UK’s Motorsport Industry Association started pushing the idea of green racing.  Their philosophy:

Already an intensive and high profile proving ground for some of the world’s leading mass-market car manufacturers, motorsport can play a crucial role to develop and promote alternative fuel technology for the global arena. And, with a proven reputation for world-class design, R&D and performance engineering, Britain’s unique motorsport industry cluster leads the field.

Significantly, motorsport is not just about glamour, raw speed and race day excitement – it’s a showcase for the latest cutting-edge technologies and a superb shop window for automotive manufacturers, suppliers and sponsors to get their message to the widest possible audience.

The Energy Efficient Motorsport (EEMS) initiative is a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness of alternative fuel sources and prove that gasoline is no longer the only viable solution.

Backed by the British Government, the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) and many interested companies, EEMS is rapidly proving that alternative technologies can compete on the world’s fastest and toughest stages. The cars are already out there – at Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship – underlining the value of bio-ethanol, diesel and Liquid Petroleum Gas, and the years ahead promise much, much more.  READ MORE

TTXGP  (The Electric Motorcycle Races)

UK’s Science and Innovation Minister Lord Drayson said: “We need to accelerate new technologies that deliver performance with sustainability, and make people take notice. Electric drive racing motorbikes that produce zero carbon emissions and reach 106 mph make going green cool and exciting. TTXGP has given us a glimpse of the future; its fast and its green.”  READ MORE

Mid-Ohio American Le Mans Series, August 2010

Part 1 A Great Weekend for Biofuels

Green Racing fans have been waiting for a weekend like this – a big-time race where biofuel powered cars just dominated. … 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 7^th 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

Part 2 Ferrari Wins GT Class with Added E85 Performance

…During Friday’s qualifying, the E-85 powered number 61 and 62 Ferraris fielded by Risi Competizione of Houston, Texas, stormed to the 1^st and 2^nd positions in qualifying.    Ferraris are known for their great balance and handling but when it comes to pure power, the big Corvettes, for years powered by E-85, had the upper hand.  But, this year it’s different. Over the winter the Risi team switched to E-85…

Part 3 The Little Team that Could!  Dyson Lola Wins Emotional Mid-Ohio American Le Mans Race with Bio-Isobutanol (from BP)

…After a very successful test run on bio-isobutanol in late 2009, you decide to run bio-isobutanol (a C-4 alcohol) this season. But, in the first five American Le Mans prototype races, something always happens to keep you out of Victory Lane. Be it a minor mechanical problem or getting collected in a crash someone else started.  You experienced them all.

If that isn’t enough, imagine this. The supplier of the bio-isobutanol and a major sponsor of the team is BP. Yes, the same BP that had that oil spill in the Gulf…  Finally, imagine coming to Mid-Ohio with no wins and a sponsor that had you change the colors on your #16 Lola/Mazda from BP to Castrol…

Part 4 The Last of the Privateers Show How Its Done.  Jonny Cocker Puts the Cellulosic Ethanol Drayson Lola on the Pole

…Getting to terms with the V-10 Judd powered Lola prototype has been a challenge for the Drayson team. And getting a reliable cellulosic ethanol supplier has also been a challenge. But, the team persevered. Their cellulosic ethanol comes from Iogen and all year they have been getting faster.

At Mid-Ohio, everything came together.   …Just before the end of the first practice session Jonny Cocker ripped off the fastest time of the day. Then, in the second practice he did the same thing.

Part 5 Innovative Fuels: Or, Getting the Right Fuels in the Right Tank

The classic 2010 Mid-Ohio American Le Mans race was this year’s showcase of biofuel innovation with Dyson Racing winning the prototype class using isobiobutanol; and the E85-powered Risi Ferrari taking the checkered flag in the GT class. …So, with different ALMS teams using different fuels, who keeps everything straight?  How can they be assured that the fuel in the tank is what they ordered? Is the alcohol in the tank the fuel that the engine wants to drink?

Part 6 G-Oil’s Perspective on Green Racing

…Organic symbols of each track on which the #99 car raced are hidden in the foliage.  It even glows in the dark.  And a large G-Oil logo announces the main sponsor. …Loch is trying to show the public, by way of their ALMS experience, that green technologies can be the superior technologies.  He wants to overcome public perception that “green” is either something inferior that we have to put up with if we want to be good to the planet—or something so expensive that we can’t afford to do it.

Part 7 Why a Tire Company Sponsors the Green Racing Trophy–A Look Backward and Forward

You’d have a pretty dangerous drinking game if you downed a shot every time a car racing announcer said “a slight air pressure adjustment” or if you liberated a piece of clothing for every tire change.   The relationship of properly inflated tires to going fast safely using as little fuel as possible has long been a staple of quality race management.

Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, September 2009

See more text and other photos in the GreenRacing at Petit Le Mans series by Joanne Ivancic.

Part 1 The Beginnings

… With Danica Patrick racing IndyCars, I got more interested.  I started to appreciate the zen concentration needed to keep those rockets on the ground in a chosen direction.  I, like many, many others, connected with her in a way I didn’t connect with her fellow drivers.

Part 2 Drayson Racing

Part 3 Audi and Shell

… Richard Karlstetter, Shell Oil’s global technology manager for racing fuels had time to talk.  We met in the Audi paddock.  I asked him about Audi and Shell’s perspectives on the green racing emphasis in the American LeMans Series racing-and what they thought of the Green Challenge.  … “Motorsport is important to test innovative fuel technologies,” he said, “to focus on advanced biofuel technology.”  There are two technologies that Shell is looking at with the Le Mans series, he explained:  biomass to liquid and gas to liquid.  Gas to liquid has been a main component of their racing program since 2006.  In 2008 they introduced biomass to liquid.  At the 2009 LeMans race, they provided fuel that incorporated cellulosic ethanol from Iogen, a Canadian company of which Shell owns 50%. …

Part 4 Ethanol Never Tasted So Good:  BP Biobutanol and Patron Tequilla

BP and Shell had a bit of a rivalry going on at Petit LeMans.  Shell is the official diesel fuel provider for Audi and Peugeot.  British Petroleum is a partner/sponsor of the Dyson Racing Team.  It’s not just cars getting a workout at Petit Le Mans, but there’s a fuel competition going on, too.  Porsche was secretly experimenting with a cellulosic E85 ethanol/gasoline blend garnering it Green X Challenge honors.

The #20 Car sponsored by BP won the prototype 2 class at Petit Le Mans,  beating Acura and Porsche.  But more exciting, as far as advanced biofuels development is concerned, was the performance of the  #16 car driven by Chris Cyson and Guy Smith.  In the spirit of innovation, the #16 car used a new BP blend of gasoline, ethanol and biobutanol.  …

Part 5 Put Some Teeth ($) into the Green Challenge

Bryan MacDonald, Highcroft Racing’s chief operating officer took a crack at explaining how important racing is to developing technologies with rest-of-the-world applications. His personal view of the future is inhabited by high performance zero emissions vehicles. He admits that the technology to achieve that vision is not quite there; and alternative fuels are part of the interim equation.

“There’s no magic bullet,” he says, repeating an oft-heard mantra in the advanced biofuels world, “It will take a combination of technologies which the market place will determine.”

He contrasted the government’s participation in the Green Challenge with the government’s support of NASCAR.  How many government agencies sponsor NASCAR competitors?  Well, there’s the National Guard Car, the Army Car, the Marines Car to start….. Sure, those cars motivate people to join the armed forces.  Why not an EPA Car or a DOE Car to motivate people to “live green” to race green?

Part 6 Corvette Flies a 2008 Winner Banner

GM’s Corvette proudly flies the Green Challenge Champion banner over its paddock at Petit Le Mans, having taken the honor for 2008.  Todd Christensen, GM sport compact marketing manager pointed out the E-85 logo on the Corvette being prepared for the day’s racing and talked about GM’s alternative fuels strategy. That E85 used in the racing Corvette epitomizes that strategy for both racer and consumers.  He noted that 4 million GM products can run on similar fuels.

Part 7 Jetta TDI’s Demonstrate the Future of Racing

The American LeMans Series demonstrates the importance of the green racing sustainability ethos by providing free take-home information to fans and race professionals, in addition to web-based materials.

Corvette: A 2008 Green Challenge Winner

Advanced Biofuels USA’s Joanne Ivancic with the Drayson Team drivers, (from left) Jonny Cocker, Paul Drayson and Rob Bell.

Peugeot’s use of oil as a coolant might not have been made public just yet, but for the request to race officials to give them plenty of time before restarting the race to get warmed up.   The race never restarted.

Making memories. When she starts driving, will it be one of these?

The Audi crew during the deluge.

Playing in puddles.

Le Tres Bon Petit Le Mans’ corps of engineers try to dam and deflect the racetrack rivers.

They called it a completed race and presented awards. By that time, it stopped raining.