Motor sports go green
Racing green is the future of motor sports. The IndyCar Series, Le Mans Series, Sprint Cars, and several other prominent motor sports have begun using different blends of ethanol in their races. Starting this season, the IndyCar Series is using an ethanol blend in 17 of their races. The ethanol blends being used are cleaner burning than past fuels which helps prevent corrosion of parts and cuts down on dirty emissions. The fumes are non-toxic and the fuel is renewable.
Using ethanol fuel blends helps the various racing series garner a clean, responsible image while bringing the benefits on ethanol to the forefront. Fans of racing can see their favorite racing teams using ethanol blends during their races and see the potential of using ethanol. With a higher octane than current pump grades of gasoline, it allows for better performance while helping maintain engines. That will give those fans the inclination to purchase a vehicle fit to handle an E85 blend.
Manufactures now need to use the technology developed for the race cars and apply it to consumer vehicles. That will put society on the fast track to a cleaner, less toxic environment. Using motor sports as a launching pad for developing a stronger market for ethanol. Other racing series, particularly NASCAR need to develop technology to use a renewable fuel such as ethanol in their racing divisions. This is a perfect time to do just that with the advent of the “Car of Tomorrow,” which is currently in its final test stages as the new standard of races cars in NASCAR.
Using sports as a stage to promote a product is nothing new. But, to use sports to promote something that will benefit everyone and quality of life, that is a concept that must be embraced.
Brendan Cornell
York College of Pa.
To comment on this letter, click on "Comments" below
Leave a comment