IRL To Use 100% Ethanol Powered Race Cars In 2007
The IRL - Indy Racing League (IndyCar Series), which has been accepted for its technical advancements in automobile racing, is now the motorsport racing leader in renewable alternative fuel produced in America. All of the 2007 field of Indy Race Cars will be fuel by 100% Ethanol.
This is quite an achievement considering there is such a debate about whether or not ethanol is a viable alternative fuel source. Think about this, if ethanol can power a 600+ horsepower racecar to speeds over 200+ mph with efficiency - certainly it can power our everyday old “grocery getter” without problem.
Alcohol powered race cars are not that new to the IRL after all in 1927 at the third Indianapolis 500 a racecar driven by Leon Duray was powered by grain (ethyl) alcohol.
This new switch to 100% ethanol powered Indy Race Cars for 2007 will not only benefit our environment by burning cleaner thus, providing less emissions, studies have shown that it will cost the average Indy Race Team about $65,000 less for the cost of fuel compared with what they were paying for foreign produced methanol. Good for the environment and cost effective - what a concept!
The IRL has been testing the use of 100% ethanol powered racecars for a number of years with great results.
IRL president Brian Barnhart said: . . . “We knew it wasn’t going to happen overnight and we wanted to explore what to do to make it happen.” “There never has been a consideration of what we’d save. It’s been about taking the initiative to introduce a fuel that improves the domestic economy and reduces our reliance on foreign fuel.”
Ethanol industry officials are hoping that fueling the IRL IndyCar Series will help spread the word about the benefits of ethanol as an alternative fuel source, not only in high-dollar, high horsepower IRL Indy cars, but also in everyday sedans, truck, minivans and SUVs.