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The Fast Lane

Corvette Racing Goes Green

thefastlane | 25 January, 2008 23:15

 

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Guess who’ve just decided to go under the ‘Green’ shade? Oh yeah, I can’t believe it myself until I read the news from Corvette Racing.

For the upcoming 2008 American Le Mans Series, the Corvette Racing team will be power-driven by E85 ethanol - the innovative high-octane, renewable alternative fuel! According to the headlines, Corvette Racing, the most triumphant team in ALMS history, will utilize a combined 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline in the challenging ring of resilience road racing as a fraction of the event’s "green racing" program.

"Since its inception, Corvette has always been a platform for Chevrolet and GM to introduce and develop new technology. Like the Corvette Z06 E85 concept car that will pace the 2008 Indianapolis 500, 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 ALMS shows that Chevy is continuing to lead by example,” says Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper during a press conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Corvette Racing's radical twin Compuware C6.R race cars will build the conversion to E85 for the upcoming 2008 American Le Mans Series after capturing its seventh straight GT1 manufacturers and team championships last year.

"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," Peper said. "Of course, performance is what counts in racing, so E85 ethanol's higher octane rating than gasoline wasn't overlooked by the Corvette Racing engineers."

"GM Racing has had an interest in 'green racing' initiatives worldwide for some time," Wesoloski said. "In 2007, Corvette Racing won the Michelin Energy Endurance Challenge in the GT1 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the most efficient use of fuel during the race. We've participated in discussions with SAE International, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Energy on programs to increase environmental awareness through racing. When it became apparent that the ALMS was going in this direction as well, the decision to use Chevrolet's factory Corvette Racing team to demonstrate both the alternative fuel technology that's available within GM and the capabilities of E85 ethanol was a logical step."

 

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