DETROIT, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Le Mans Series reaffirmed
its position as motorsports' global leader in alternative fuels today by
announcing that it is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, U.S. Department of Energy and SAE International to incorporate
"green racing" principles into its 2008 racing season. The American Le Mans
Series will be the first motorsports series to meet the criteria for green
racing being developed by these groups.
In conjunction with the history-making EPA, DOE and SAE partnerships,
the American Le Mans Series announced the creation of a first-ever,
Series-wide "Green Racing Challenge." This new competition will encourage
manufacturers to introduce and develop their "green" technologies and will
be an incremental element of the Series' signature event -- the 1,000-mile
Petit Le Mans race to be held Oct. 4 at Road Atlanta. Protocols and
criteria for the Green Racing Challenge award are being developed by the
EPA and DOE along with SAE International and the Series and will be
announced later this spring.
The unprecedented association of the United States' environmental and
energy government agencies, along with the industry's premier automotive
society dedicated to advancing global technology and information worldwide,
creates a landmark moment for the world's premium brand of motorsports.
"The auto manufacturers competing in the American Le Mans Series have
made it very clear that this is a direction and an overall initiative that
is important to them," said Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the
Series. "The opportunity to formally align with the Environmental
Protection Agency, Department of Energy and SAE International makes our
platform very special and unique -- to auto manufacturers and ultimately to
consumers. At a time when nearly all of motorsports has lost its relevance
regarding progressive technology or any connection from the race track to
the showroom floor, the American Le Mans Series stands alone in providing a
platform of solutions for our nation's automotive, transportation and
energy needs."
With a direct link to the world famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in France,
the American Le Mans Series features exotic prototype and production-based
sports cars competing in four different classes on the track at the same
time. The Series has more automobile manufacturers competing head-to-head
than any other series in the world. All race cars in the Series compete on
alternative fuels. For the last two seasons, Audi has competed with a
revolutionary clean diesel powered race car. Last year, the Ethanol
Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) and fuel supplier VP Racing Fuels
introduced E10 (10 percent ethanol, 90 percent gasoline) to all other
manufacturers who raced in the Series. E10 is virtually the same blend that
most consumers are able to buy at their local service station. This season,
the Series in conjunction with EPIC will introduce E85 (85 percent ethanol,
15 percent gasoline) as one of its fuel options.
American Le Mans Series rules also support the introduction of an
electric hybrid race car and encourage manufacturers to develop new
technologies (through racing) that can be applied to improve the
automobiles being built for consumers. In addition to Audi, other auto
marques that currently participate in the American Le Mans Series include
Acura, Aston Martin, Corvette, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Mazda, Panoz, Porsche
and Saleen.
The American Le Mans Series, with technical rules that not only allow
but encourage manufacturers to develop cutting-edge innovations, has played
an active role in the development of alternative automotive fuels. The
competitive use of multiple alternative fuels such as bio and cellulosic
ethanol and zero-sulfur clean diesel has been achieved in conjunction with
the automotive manufacturers that race in the American Le Mans Series.
The criteria set forth by SAE in concert with the Environment
Protection Agency and Department of Energy to qualify as a Green Racing
series requires that certain elements in a series be present. These
elements focus on three vital characteristics that measure performance,
fuel efficiency and ecological impact. They include:
-- The use of renewable bio-based fuel or fuels
-- The use of multiple engines, fuels and powertrain configurations
-- The use of regenerative energy powertrain technologies
-- The use of well-to-wheel energy analysis and GHG analysis
-- The use of emission control strategies and systems
"This partnership between government and industry to use the American
Le Mans Series as an incubator to accelerate the development of new,
relevant and practical automotive technologies that will use less fuel and
emit fewer greenhouse gasses and air pollutants further emphasizes the
American Le Mans Series as the global leader in this important area," said
Atherton. "This support by EPA and DOE in conjunction with the SAE comes at
a time when manufacturers and consumers alike are looking for 'green'
solutions. We are the only series in which manufacturers can aggressively
develop breakthrough technologies for automobiles that consumers will
ultimately buy and drive, reinforcing the American Le Mans Series as the
most relevant racing series in the world."
The American Le Mans Series' 2008 season begins with the 56th running
of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring March 15 at Sebring International
Raceway. For the first time in history America's premier sports car
endurance classic will feature teams that will all use clean diesel, E10
gasoline, or E85 ethanol.
What Is Being Said about the American Le Mans Series' Green Racing
Initiatives
and its partnership with the EPA, DOE, and SAE International:
"Like never before, America is confronting a nexus of concerns relating
to climate change and energy security -- among the greatest challenges of
our time. There's no reason why the motorsports community should not be a
part of the dialogue. My office, which is concerned with pollution from
mobile sources, is all about putting clean, efficient technologies on the
'fast track', and that's what this initiative literally seeks to
accomplish."
- Margo T. Oge
Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
"The American Le Mans Series represents a tremendous opportunity to
demonstrate and educate consumers about alternative fuels and innovative,
efficient automotive technologies in an interesting and dynamic way that
captures the public's attention. These subjects are driven home and made
real and pertinent when consumers see some of the fastest racing cars on
the circuit competing with E85 or clean diesel. The fact that manufacturers
are already actively competing with these alternative fuels makes our
association with the Series a natural fit. We also hope that other
automotive manufacturers will enter and compete with exciting new
technologies they have developed -- technologies that will not just make
them competitive on the race circuit, but in the consumer automotive
market, as well."
- Ed Wall
Program Manager, Vehicle Technologies Program, Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
"Partnering with the American Le Mans Series will further allow SAE
International to challenge the future of global mobility engineering and
the way we all use energy. We look forward to working with the Series to
create protocols for a Green Racing Challenge that will encourage the
development of alternative-fuel technologies and other related innovations
by automobile manufacturers -- and we're pleased to know that many of these
manufacturers already are involved in the American Le Mans Series."
- David L. Amati
Ph.D., Director of Global Automotive Business, SAE International
"Racing is an integral part of Corvette's history and heritage, and
Corvette Racing's unprecedented success in the American Le Mans Series has
reinforced Corvette's standing as a performance icon that is recognized
around the world. Since its inception, Corvette has been a platform for
Chevrolet and GM to introduce and develop new technology. The use of E85
ethanol fuel by America's premier production sports car racing team in a
high-profile, high- tech racing series like the American Le Mans Series
shows that Chevy is continuing to lead by example. By showcasing the
capabilities of E85 ethanol before an audience of knowledgeable and
technically astute race fans, we can demonstrate the benefits of a
renewable fuel that helps to reduce dependence on petroleum, helps to
reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and helps to create greater diversity
in energy supplies."
- Ed Peper
General Manager Chevrolet, GENERAL MOTORS
"Honda and Acura have always competed in racing for the primary
purposes of developing our people and advancing the technology of the
sport. The diverse technology platform embraced by the American Le Mans
Series was what led us to launch our inaugural Series effort in 2007. Honda
has long enjoyed a reputation in the marketplace as an environmentally
conscious company and, under its Acura brand, is fully supportive of and
enthused about the Green Racing Challenge."
- John Mendel
Senior Vice President, AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
"Since its inception, Porsche has strived to improve fuel efficiency as
a major part of the overall performance of its sports and race cars.
Achieving better fuel economy in its production vehicles, most recently
evidenced by the incorporation of direct fuel injection for the 2008
Cayenne and the ULEV- certified engine with VarioCam Plus in the 2008
Boxster, is as important to us as is the optimum fuel efficiency of our RS
Spyder. Running on E10 fuel both on and off the race track has been a
logical step for Porsche, and we are committed to continue to invest
considerable resources in the search for alternative fuels. We applaud the
leadership of the American Le Mans Series for its Green Racing Challenge,
which has the potential to add a most timely and forward-looking
environmental component to the industry's race for optimum performance."
- Peter Schwarzenbauer
President & CEO, PORSCHE CARS, NORTH AMERICA
"We applaud the American Le Mans Series for this latest green
initiative. It is this type of innovative thinking that attracted Mazda to
the Series as we seek to challenge our engineers to push the boundaries of
what is possible. This program is an ideal complement to the Mazda
'Sustainable Zoom-Zoom' plan announced last year. The Mazda goal is to
develop vehicles that address our shared global climate and energy concerns
while still being exciting from a driver's perspective. The ability to
showcase some of that technology in a series like the American Le Mans
Series is a fantastic opportunity."
- Robert Davis
Senior VP Marketing & Product Development
MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
"Penske Racing decided to compete in the American Le Mans Series not
only because we saw its growth and potential as a racing series, but
because it clearly was not afraid to forge into areas such as alternative
fuels and other technologies. Innovations like alternative fuels are at the
forefront of the racing industry and they can also help reshape the entire
automotive landscape. Finding economic and ecologically-sound alternatives
to fuels is critical to all of us in the racing and automotive industries.
We applaud the Series for its ability to gain support from these pivotal
government agencies. Penske Racing looks forward to participating in the
Green Racing Challenge this year at Petit Le Mans."
- Roger Penske
Team Owner, PENSKE RACING
"When I heard that the American Le Mans Series was going even more
green in 2008, I just had to be a part of it. Having championed green
racing at the national level in the U.K. -- and secured the first ever
outright victory for a bio-fuelled car last year in British GT -- it's
great to have the opportunity this year to race against the best in the
world. The American Le Mans Series' Green Challenge is a brilliant idea.
Climate change is the greatest challenge facing our generation and
motorsport has its part to play. Our sport doesn't just spur innovation, it
changes perceptions, particularly GT racing which is relevant to what
people see on the roads. We can show how cool, fast cars can be green too
-- expanding consumer demand for green technology and making sure that
motor racing stays relevant in the 21st century. It's a great initiative
and I'm delighted to compete in it."
- Lord Paul Drayson,
Team Principal & Driver, DRAYSON-BARWELL MOTORSPORT
(Paul Drayson is formerly Parliament's Minister of State for Defense
Procurement and Defense Minister in Great Britain's House of Lords. An
Aston University graduate with a PhD in robotics and former founder of
PowderJect Pharmaceuticals, Drayson will race a bio-ethanol fueled Aston
Martin Vantage in the Series GT2 class this season.)
"An authentic American classic, the Corvette is now positioned to
showcase its power in the alternative fuels arena with the switch to E85.
In partnership with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC),
the American Le Mans Series and Corvette Racing have once again
demonstrated their commitment to a cleaner, renewable fuel in one of the
most demanding proving grounds in racing."
- Reece Nanfito
Senior Director of Marketing, EPIC
"Shell's commitment to motorsport at the highest level is an integral
part of our extensive Research & Development program and is essential to
continually delivering better fuels for our customers. In partnership with
the ACO we have developed an advanced racing diesel for the 24 Hours of Le
Mans and the American Le Mans Series to pioneer the next generation of
diesel technology for road cars. Shell GTL Fuel is an important part of the
race fuel, made from natural gas that can be used in conventional diesel
engines. This clear, odorless, synthetic fuel has outstanding cetane
quality, so that it burns more cleanly and efficiently than conventional
diesel."
- Richard Karlstetter
Technology Manager Racing Fuels, SHELL GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
About the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series is the premium brand of motorsport in North
America, featuring high-tech, sports cars from the most prestigious
automobile manufacturers in the world. With its direct link to the world
famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, its unique four classes of
competition showcase exotic, prototypes (LMP1 and LMP2 classes) and
sophisticated production-based GT cars (GT1 and GT2 classes), all competing
on the track at the same time. With a 12- race schedule in 2008, the
American Le Mans Series competes at premier road racing tracks across North
America and at selected temporary street circuits in major urban markets.
With a television package that includes five network broadcasts on ABC and
NBC as well as seven live telecasts on SPEED, plus live broadcasts across
Europe, the Series delivers a global marketing platform that is unmatched
in motorsports. The Series, founded in 1999 by Georgia entrepreneur Don
Panoz, represents a mirror image to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans,
the world's most famous and authentic automobile race. The American Le Mans
Series features elite marques such as Acura, Audi, Aston Martin, Porsche,
Corvette, Ferrari, Mazda and Panoz, and premium brands such as Michelin,
Yokohama, Kumho, Lowe's, EPIC, Shell, DHL, Hyatt Hotels, XM Radio and many
others. The teams competing in the Series range from top professional teams
such as Penske Racing, Andretti Green Racing and Rahal Letterman Racing to
top-level independent teams such as Dyson Racing and Intersport Racing.
The American Le Mans Series features technical rules that not only
allow new technology, but actually encourage auto manufacturers to
introduce new innovations into the racing environment as a means of rapid
development for production car application. The Series is the only
motorsports body in the world that features multiple street-legal
alternative fuel sources -- clean diesel, E10 gasoline and E85 cellulosic
(non-feedstock) ethanol. Through partnerships with diesel fuel supplier
Shell, VP Racing Fuels and EPIC (Ethanol Promotion and Information
Council), the American Le Mans Series has taken the global leadership role
in motorsports for the development of alternative fuel technology and its
practical use in production cars.
SOURCE The American Le Mans Series
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Related links:
http://www.americanlemans.com/
CONTACT:
Bob Dickinson, Vice President Public
Relations-Media Services of American Le Mans Series,
+1-678-425-5869, +1-706-654-2983, radickinson@americanlemans.com
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