Innovation Unleashed: Sportscar Racing Takes Next Step toward Driving Technology and Renewable Fuel Development

by Natalie Committee (U.S. Department of Energy) As motorsports enthusiasts know, racing innovation once meant turbine-powered Indy cars and six-wheeled formula cars, but those days are mostly over. Today, Green Racing encourages the use of innovative technologies that foster energy efficiency and renewable, low-carbon fuels. Green Racing is a partnership between the Energy Department (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and SAE (the Society of Automotive Engineers ) to help develop, test and promote the use of cleaner fuels and advanced vehicle technologies through motorsports.

This past weekend, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), a Green Racing partner, reaffirmed its commitment to innovation. At a Green Racing Symposium, IMSA discussed ways it will encourage vehicle manufacturers and teams to push the limits of technologies on the track this season and beyond. Mike Carr, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), participated in a Green Racing panel. This panel brought together teams, auto manufacturers, racing series representatives, and members of the Green Racing initiative to discuss the future of advanced technologies and transferring those technologies to consumer vehicles.

“We’ve seen how the use of innovative technologies on the racetrack translates to transportation improvements for us all, Carr said. “We’re excited to see racing teams competing with technologies from many Energy Department research areas to improve their efficiency and performance. By emphasizing the importance of efficiency in racing, IMSA is laying the foundation for new perspectives in personal mobility.”

While everyday technologies to improve vehicle safety such as rear view mirrors and seat belts started in motorsports, vehicle racing has also contributed greatly to improvements in performance and efficiency. High-pressure direct fuel injection pioneered in DOE-funded engine development is another technology now widely used in racing, especially high-speed diesel racing engines from Mazda and Audi. Through the use of advanced technologies, diesel racing engines now produce massive torque, impressive fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and plenty of power. Many of the technologies first used on the race track are now in production cars for sale.

Following the symposium, participating IMSA racing teams showed how they use advanced technologies in one of the toughest endurance races in the world—the Mobile 1 63^rd annual Twelve Hours of Sebring for the TUDOR United Sportscar Championship (TUDOR Championship). Risi Competizione's Ferrari F458 Italia emerged as the winner of the DEKRA Green Challenge Award. The award recognizes the most "clean, fast, and efficient" GT Le Mans (GTLM) competitor in each TUDOR Championship race as determined by the Green Racing Protocols established by DOE, EPA and SAE.

In fact, because IMSA uses ethanol made using more efficient production technologies, the vehicles have reduced their carbon pollution by more than 60%. The development of this second generation ethanol production technology is a significant success. BETO has provided technical and financial support to INEOS Bio, the ethanol producer for IMSA’s official fuel supplier, VP Racing Fuels. Now, IMSA is so pleased with the performance and “green” benefits of this second generation fuel that at the symposium, it announced that it hopes to offer an E30 (30% ethanol) fuel beginning next season as well.

Stay tuned for future developments on the Green Racing website for new partners in motorsports that are building the groundwork for innovations in sustainable transportation. READ MORE