The Tulip Rally Turns over a New Leaf with Introduction of Sustainable Fuels

June 14, 2023

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(Coryton) Coryton and Ecomaxx help fuel a greener future -- A collection of plant waste powered cars will take part in the final stage of The Tulip Rally this month, marking a new milestone for the Netherlands’ oldest rally event.

The group of fifteen classic cars, named ‘The Green Tulips’, will take on the last 300km leg of the Rally (from Luxemburg to Valkenburg) fuelled with Ecomaxx Classic Car Fuel, made from sustainable sources in partnership with SUSTAIN by Coryton.

This is the first time a dedicated focus has been placed on sustainable fuel at the Rally. The Green Tulips are set to save up to 2,016kg of CO₂ during the event and it is hoped the move will lead the way for further green commitments going forward.

The 80% renewable fuel, Ecomaxx Classic Car fuel, uses second generation biofuel manufactured by Coryton from agricultural waste. By doing so, it utilises the carbon that already exists in our atmosphere (which the plants absorb as they grow), rather than releasing additional CO₂ that is currently locked underground in fossil fuel.

Andrew Willson, CEO at Coryton, said:

“We’re delighted to be teaming up with Ecomaxx to play a part in this exciting new chapter of racing history. The Tulip Rally is one of the Netherlands’ oldest rally events, showcasing a range of timeless and treasured classic car models. It’s a tradition that millions of spectators have shared together over the years and, through the introduction of more sustainable solutions, it’s one we hope to preserve for many more to come.

We have designed this sustainable fuel variant, based on the Ecomaxx Classic Car Fuel formulation, combining years of experience with the latest technology. The result is a product that really performs, and which fully protects classic engines.

We can’t wait to see The Green Tulips in action and we wish everyone involved the best of luck. Through events like this, we can set key foundations that everyone in the industry can build on and forge a new future for the world of rally racing and beyond.”

Coryton’s partnership with Ecomaxx is the latest in a number of collaborations the company has undertaken to help showcase the power and potential of sustainable fuels in Motorsport. Earlier this year, the bespoke fuel specialist celebrated its second successful year working with the Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) team in the Dakar Rally. This included claiming second place in the overall race and a record-breaking nine stage win victories.

Peter van Gelder, from Ecomaxx, said:

“Last year a team drove the entire Tulip Rally on Ecomaxx Classic Car Fuel and this year we’re going one step further with our cleanest petrol yet.

Our formula is designed to reduce local emissions and be able to sit for long periods of time whilst a vintage vehicle may be in storage, so that it is guaranteed to start again in the spring. In fact, the most renowned classic car dealers in our market embrace this new fuel and actively include it in their winter maintenance advice.”

By combining our experience and knowledge of vintage cars with Coryton’s technology, we’ve been able to provide this unique event with sustainable fuel. This is the first time that this many classic cars will take on a CO₂ neutral drive at the same time in the Benelux. We’re proud to play our part in marking a new milestone for the oldest rally in the Netherlands. Through clean fuel we can secure the future of rallies and tours.” READ MORE

ECOMAXX Classic car Fuel -- Ecomaxx Classic Car Fuel is a clean gasoline WITHOUT ethanol. (EMParts)

EcoMaxx classic car fuel. From the Aspen people (TZ-UK Forum)

SUSTAIN x Ecomaxx fuelled Lamberigts and Den Hartog win 69th Tulip Rally (Coryton)

Excerpt from EMParts: Interchangeable with all types of pump petrol,

Replaces E5 and E10 petrol, Ethanol-free!,

Makes fuel additives unnecessary,

Price: € 69.50 per 20 liters. READ MORE

Excerpt from TZ-UK Forum: Aspen fuel is well-known and widely used in chainsaws etc. The Swedish product is much cleaner than normal petrol and it doesn't have the Ethanol E5/E10 problems.

The Dutch branch of Aspen has now introduced a classic car fuel called EcoMaxx and they're trying to sell it through classic car dealers/workshops. Late January their salesman dropped of a few 20 liter cans in the workshop to give it a try. After a few weeks, I poured the complete can in my Porsche's tank and gave it a try. Normally, the 'usual' fuel causes problems starting etc and the first few miles everything shakes and bucks. Simply because the fuel has deteriorated. But on a short trip, after 10 miles or so, when the Ecomaxx hit the injectors, the car leaped forward. Smoother running, easier pick up. I was (and am) impressed.

...

There's a 2stroke version as well.

Is there a downside? Yes! Absolutely. It's eyewatering expensive! 20 liters will set you back around 65 euros! I don't see that the workshop will sell a lot of cans. But I've talked to someone with a classic car workshop near Amsterdam who tells me that he's selling the stuff on euro pallets to customers! READ MORE

Excerpt from Coryton:

For the first time ever, a largely carbon-neutral fuel powered the oldest rally event in the Netherlands. Sponsors Ecomaxx and Coryton are proud that their product fuelled the winning team.

Saturday the 13^th of May in Valkenburg, Harm Lamberigts and Bart den Hertog were the first to cross the finish line of the celebrated Tulip Rally, beating off the competition with a total of 1,214 penalty points.

The fuel has proven its worth

During the rally, twenty classic cars ended up completing the final 300 km on Ecomaxx Classic Car Fuel. The fuel was produced especially for this event using renewable sources in collaboration with the UK-based SUSTAIN by Coryton.

According to the winners, the fuel performed well. Harm and Bart’s 1971 Ford Escort Mexico has a tuned 1600 engine with extra power. On rallies of this nature, it is particularly important that high-performance engines like theirs run perfectly.

Harm Lamberigts had the following to say about it:
Initially, we had our doubts about having to run the car on such an unusual fuel. After all, it is something new and unfamiliar to us. Nevertheless, this renewable fuel really did its job, and the car ran superbly on it.”

...

This experience represents a key moment for Ecomaxx. It demonstrates that any classic car can effortlessly switch to the 80% carbon-neutral version of Classic Car Fuel.

Besides the winners’ tuned Ford, various other fast cars had been filled up with this unconventional fuel. Various Porsche models and cars from Alfa Romeo and BMW as well as Datsun 240Zs, Triumphs and Austin Healey 3000s ran perfectly on it.

Cleaner driving and improved performance

It is now clear that classic cars will not need to be banned because of their internal combustion engines. Using cutting-edge technologies, Ecomaxx and Coryton have succeeded in producing an 80% carbon-neutral petrol that outperforms even fossil fuels. This takes the sustainability of a classic car to a whole new level.

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When will carbon-neutral fuel be available to everyone?

According to Peter van Gelder, the man behind Ecomaxx, the development of renewable fuels is gathering pace:

“Renewable diesel has been around for a while. However, the process for producing petrol is more complex and therefore more expensive. But it won’t be long before we can introduce this kind of fuel to the market.”

To find out more about the other winners of the 2023 Tulip Rally, visit tulpenrallye.nl

Congratulations to all the winners! READ MORE