IndyCar Series Technology Enhances Its Environmental Footprint

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Long recognized for its leadership in motorsports safety and innovation, the IndyCar Series continues to expand its role by improving auto racing’s environmental footprint through its use of 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol in the 3.5-liter Honda Indy V-8 engine that powers all of its race cars as well as the Honda Accord Hybrid Pace Vehicle. The IndyCar Series is the first in motorsports to utilize these technologies proven to benefit the environment.

“It feels good to provide some of the most exciting and competitive racing in the world, knowing that the IndyCar Series’ fuel choice is not affecting the environment, ” said Brian Barnhart, president and chief operating officer of the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series. “We hope we can set the pace for all of our fans, encouraging them to follow our on-track lead and utilize ethanol-enriched fuel and hybrid technology in their personal vehicles. ”

Ethanol is a cleaner energy source that has been shown to reduce harmful air pollution by reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. The IndyCar Series previously had used methanol, a fuel produced from natural gas, a non-renewable source. Since ethanol is produced from agricultural products that can be replanted, such as corn, the supply can continually be replenished. It is also 100 percent biodegradable, meaning it won’t harm groundwater.

“Our partnership with the IndyCar Series enables us to demonstrate that performance and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with ethanol, ” said Tom Slunecka, executive director for the Ethanol Information and Promotion Council. “If an IndyCar Series car can run on environmentally-friendly ethanol at speeds in excess of 220 mph, then so can consumer cars using ethanol-enriched gasoline on our nation’s highways. ”

Passenger cars using an ethanol-blended fuel can see similar environmental benefits. The use of ethanol as a fuel additive improves the environment because its high level of oxygen increases the efficiency of the combustion process, resulting in lower emissions and improved air quality. Fuel enriched with a 10 percent ethanol blend reduces harmful tailpipe emissions by more than 30 percent.

Even the co-products from the ethanol production process at the nation’s 110 ethanol plants, including IndyCar Series supplier Renova Energy in Torrington, Wyo., don’t go to waste. The product, known as Distiller’s grain, is used as a highly nutritious livestock feed. Additionally, the carbon dioxide that is produced during fermentation is purified and compressed for sale to the carbon beverage and dry ice industries.

In addition to ethanol power, the Honda Accord Hybrid serves as the pace vehicle at IndyCar Series events. Hybrid technology is a more efficient energy source. When the Honda Accord Hybrid pace car slows or stops, the engine shuts down, but the car is still powered by its electric motor and battery, reducing the car’s emissions. Energy is saved whenever the vehicle is not going up a hill or accelerating quickly. However, when additional power is needed, it is there. The Accord Hybrid utilizes power from the battery to provide extra acceleration when needed.

The IndyCar Series “goes green” with its season on March 24 under the lights at Homestead-Miami Speedway, airing live on ESPN2. The event will mark the first time a race will run on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol, setting the trend to bring the use of renewable fuels to other forms of motorsports.


 
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