IndyCar Racing Series Switches to Ethanol

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- The Indy Racing League's IndyCar Series is switching to a 100 percent ethanol fuel to power its vehicles, beginning in the 2007 series, which opens on March 24 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida. The move to a completely renewable fuel is the first in motorsports, the league said.

"Having 100 percent ethanol power the IndyCar Series is one of the most compelling ways to demonstrate ethanol's superior performance characteristics," said Brian Jennings, executive vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). "Ethanol is the entire package -- homegrown, renewable, clean burning, and full of high-octane power."

The league began the transition from methanol fuel to ethanol during the 2006 IndyCar season with a 90 percent methanol/10 percent ethanol fuel blend. This year 100 percent ethanol will be used in the series' races, including the Indy 500.

In addition, the league is home to Team Ethanol, the No. 17 IndyCar driven by Jeff Simmons. The team began through a relationship between three ethanol design firms -- Broin Companies, Fagen Inc., and ICM Inc.

"The entire ethanol movement benefits from being the new fuel of the IndyCar Series," said Ron Lamberty, ACE vice president of market development. "Ethanol has been undergoing a transformation over the last few years -- from a fuel of regional interest to one with national implications, from unknown to mainstream, from a fuel blend component to a fuel of its own merit. Being the fuel to power Indy is accelerating this transformation in the eyes of America."
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