Bob Kozak Writes about Green Racing Developments from The Roar B4 the Rolex 24 in Daytona

January 08, 2016

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by Robert E. Kozak (Advanced Biofuels USA) Ed note: Here are some initial notes from Bob Kozak, covering green racing developments at the Daytona International Speedway's Roar before the Rolex 24. Sounds like we are racing backwards instead of forwards. To begin:

Corvette

The front of the Corvettes no longer have E85 on them since IMSA changed to E20 fuel for the Le Mans GT class for consistency with the Le Mans racing rules. "It all goes back to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which allows a wide range of different powertrains and fuels, including hybrids and diesels, but not E85," according to CorvetteOnline.

Mazda

At the Mazda presser one of the driver's off-the-track activities was introduced as speaking to high schools about STEM and racing. Afterwards John Noonan (head of Mazda racing) and the driver said he does not include biofuels in his talks. They both said, "not this year, we aren't running them any longer."

See articles about Mazda's previous use of renewable fuels: isobutanol and renewable diesel:

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/road-atlanta-michelin-green-x-challenge-and-dyson-racing-reports/

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/green-racing-at-petit-le-mans-ethanol-never-tasted-so-good-bp-biobutanol-and-patron-tequila/

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/alms-goes-greener-with-michelin/

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/dyson-racing-expected-to-run-cutting-edge-alternative-fuel-in-no-16-lola-mazda/

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/mid-ohio-american-le-mans-series-the-little-team-that-could-dyson-lola-wins-emotional-mid-ohio-american-le-mans-race-with-bio-isobutanol-from-bp/

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/2011-green-racing-takes-more-steps-forward-than-back/

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/sebring-runs-on-advanced-biofuels/

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/future-of-green-racing-looks-bright/

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/green-racing-challenge-is-back/

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/innovation-unleashed-sportscar-racing-takes-next-step-toward-driving-technology-and-renewable-fuel-development/

https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/getting-the-word-out-about-biofuels-and-green-racing/

The Mazda using SkyActiv technology with Dynamic Fuels renewable diesel.

The 2010 winning Dyson Racing Lola Mazda Castrol BP Bio-Isobutanol ALMS prototype. photo: J.Ivancic

Simon Bourdais at the 2016 Roar at the Rolex 24

Ford and Peugeot

Sébastien Bourdais had some interesting comments on the difference in driving the Ford GT (a GT or production class car) and the Corvette Daytona Prototype.

He said they weren't that different. The Ford GT had downforce, didn't roll in corners. Otherwise, they were very similar in performance.

Bourdais said the Daytona Prototypes weren't "real" prototypes, didn't feel like real prototypes.

When asked about the Peugeot diesel prototypes, Bourdais said they were "real prototypes. "They demanded much more [driver] commitment going into corners and at high speed. ... They were what, 12 seconds a lap faster at Sebring than the DPs." He really liked thinking back about the Peugeots.

Ford vs. Ferrari in the GT Class

The paint job on the Ford GT doesn't do it any favors. It masks the flying buttresses.

Also, I have to congratulate how the boys and girls at Ferrari responded to the Ford GT. Their new 488 twin-turbo V-6 looks amazingly like the Ford GT. They have one down here in similar red/white/blue livery. See photos below of Ford GT and Ferrari for comparison.

Furthermore, with the IMSA Balance of Performance (BOP) rules, all the GT Le Mans cars go about the same speed on all parts of the course. While that makes for good "one-design" racing there isn't any breathtaking performance by any of the cars.

Ford GT at speed

Ford GT at speed

Ferarri at speed

Ferarri at speed

DeltaWing

DeltaWing has been running P1 or P2 all evening. It's the fave of fans. They find it cute! And, its distinctive shape makes it easy to identify.

Sportscar 365 reports that to start the day, Katherine Legge drove the DeltaWing DWC13 to the top of the timesheets in a delayed, then later extended, Saturday morning practice at the Roar Before the Rolex 24. (note 3/18/2016--watch a video of Katherine Legge driving the DeltaWing around the track at Sebring during a practice session)

Red, white and blue seem to be the fad for car livery at this race.

The look of DeltaWing has certainly changed from it's 2012 debut from the original designed by Ben Bowlby.