Green Racing Celebrates 25th Michelin Green X Challenge Race, Announces Greener Initiatives
September 1, 2011
On the heels of celebrating the 25th race in the Michelin Green X Challenge this month, the American Le Mans Series announced even greener initiatives for the future at a celebratory press conference August 30 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The celebration included a display of race cars and the Green Racing Simulator, and will continue at the Baltimore Grand Prix this weekend – the first race event that aims to be carbon neutral with zero net waste by 2015.
The 25th challenge occurred at the Wisconsin race on August 17, which hit near-record television viewership with more than 900,000 households watching. That race also marked a record petroleum displacement level of 48% for the series, compared to traditional petroleum-based fuels.
Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency Kathleen Hogan spoke about the Department’s role at the National Press Club on August 27, along with leaders from EPA, ALMS, General Motors, Mazda and Highcroft Racing. Afterwards, they displayed the Dyson Racing Mazda Lola that runs on isobutanol and the Corvette Racing C6.R that runs on cellulosic ethanol, along with the Green Racing Simulator created by DOE and Argonne National Laboratory.
“Green Racing demonstrates to the public that alternative fuels and efficient automotive technologies can meet the performance requirements of even the most demanding customers and is helping to bring new technologies from the raceway to our driveways,” said Hogan. “A good example is the General Motors’ Direct Injection System that was used in the American Le Mans Corvettes two years ago, and is now available in multiple Buick and Chevrolet passenger sedans and SUVs."
Since adopting the Green Racing protocols in 2008, ALMS has introduced a variety of fuels and technologies, including cellulosic ethanol, ultra-low-sulfur gas-to-liquid diesel, isobutanol and hybrids. ALMS also wants to explore battery electric vehicles, compressed natural gas and other bio-based fuels, in addition to energy allocations.
“We are immensely proud of the partnership between our series, our participating OEMs and tire companies, and our government,” said ALMS CEO Scott Atherton. “The automotive industry’s most important race today is not Daytona, Indy or Le Mans. The new race is defined by global concerns for energy supply and climate change. The great race of the 21st century is for economic, socially responsible, sustainable transportation solutions, and we are proud of the role we have in that race.”
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