WTCC to run on ethanol for 2009

[Stéphane Dumas]

I spotted this info at http://www.fiawtcc.com/fiawtcc/sport_sto1147354.shtml AutoblogGreen
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/04...sively-from-2/

the World Touring Car Championship has decided to make the switch to biofuels starting in 2009. As a matter of fact, for the 2008 year, teams will be allowed to use ethanol and diesel fuels in addition to standard unleaded gasoline. This article quotes Jacques Behar, chairman and CEO of championship promoter KSO as saying, "Alternative fuels will play a major role in motorsport's future and it is our goal to be at the forefront of this technology. With the close relationship between touring cars and their road-going equivalents we believe that the WTCC is the logical platform to raise public awareness of bio fuels."

[logansowner]

Great news!

[CaptainDan]

Allowing the teams a choice between gasoline and ethanol was a good idea. Since NOBODY would choose the gasoline (what racer is going to choose LESS horsepower?), it will help to publicize the fact that ethanol is a much better fuel.

It will give a little publicity boost to ethanol.

[Clocker]

[quote=CaptainDan]Since NOBODY would choose the gasoline (what racer is going to choose LESS horsepower?), it will help to publicize the fact that ethanol is a much better fuel.

QUOTE]

Well, if you choose ethanol, there will be a weight penalty because you will have to carry about 20% more fuel to complete the race.

I think getting ethanol in racing is a good thing though.

Get back into your UG tube Captain Dan. :-)

[kenman923]

That's a good way to promote Ethanol.

[jbernie]

The option to run various fuels is great as teams can make the leap if they are wanting to, or if they are team not flush with the $$$ than can be a little slower in bringing the new setups online.

Any racing series that can claim that is using renewable fuels will get some what of a break from the green set.

[Mischief007]

The BTCC has a couple of ethanol cars already plus a diesel now too. Alternative fuels are making its way into racing.

[motorman]

what about all those poor starving children around the world that will not be able to get enought to eat now because all the corn is going for racing fuel?

[genjy]

Originally Posted by motorman

what about all those poor starving children around the world that will not be able to get enought to eat now because all the corn is going for racing fuel?

The argument is that we have a lot of excess corns rotting somewhere and we can use those for fuel... but then again, why aren't those excess corns feeding starving children?

[ZHDesign57]

Wait...when was the WTCC aprroved for production,...
and
I thought that said "What about all those poor starving chickens" at first glance...

[GMinTheDriveway]

Originally Posted by motorman

what about all those poor starving children around the world that will not be able to get enought to eat now because all the corn is going for racing fuel?

Perhaps we can make fuel out of them?

[redimpss5]

The ethanol cars will be stopping for pit stops allot more then the gas cars. They might as well add diesel to the list. That way, they can decide if you want long range also.

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by motorman

what about all those poor starving children around the world that will not be able to get enought to eat now because all the corn is going for racing fuel?

They starved because we used all the gas and diesel for racing fuel, so no food could be shipped to them.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by CaptainDan

They starved because we used all the gas and diesel for racing fuel, so no food could be shipped to them.

just posting what the libs have already said about ethanol use. if they had their way we would all be riding bicycles so they could have fuel for their private jets. if the libs win the presidency and keep both houses the car as you know it today will be gone. if you what a performance car get it before 2008 or you will be out of luck. if you work in the auto industry be worried be very worried.

[Saaj]

Originally Posted by redimpss5

The ethanol cars will be stopping for pit stops allot more then the gas cars. They might as well add diesel to the list. That way, they can decide if you want long range also.

A modern diesel can give you a 33% boost in fuel economy, while an ethanol engine increases your horsepower a bit through an increase in RPMs. If the time saved in pit stops can compensate for the lower top speed, diesels might be an interesting option in the longer races.

Of course, you then have to worry about lower power:weight ratios and God knows what else, but the diesels will generally last longer, giving these teams a potentially higher budget to work with. Perhaps they could use the budget to boost speed in other ways?