In conjunction with the history-making EPA,
DOE and SAE partnerships, the American Le Mans Series announced
the creation of a first-ever, Series-wide "Green Racing Challenge." This new competition
will encourage manufacturers to introduce and develop their "green" technologies
and will be an incremental element of the Series' signature event
- the 1,000-mile Petit Le Mans race to be held Oct. 1-4 at Road
Atlanta. Protocols and criteria for the Green Racing Challenge
award are being developed by the EPA and DOE along SAE International
and the Series, and will be announced later this spring. Visit
www.americanlemans.com for updates.
The unprecedented association of the United States' environmental
and energy government agencies, along with the industry's premier
automotive society dedicated to advancing global technology and
information worldwide, creates a landmark moment for the world's
premium brand of motorsports.
“The auto manufacturers competing in the American Le Mans
Series have made it very clear that this is a direction and an
overall initiative that is important to them," said Scott
Atherton, president and CEO of the Series. "The opportunity
to formally align with the Environmental Protection Agency, Department
of Energy and SAE International makes our platform very special
and unique - to auto manufacturers and ultimately to consumers.
At a time when nearly all of motorsports has lost its relevance
regarding progressive technology or any connection from the race
track to the showroom floor, the American Le Mans Series stands
alone in providing a platform of solutions for our nation's automotive,
transportation and energy needs."
With a direct link to the world famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in
France, the American Le Mans Series features exotic prototype and
production-based sports cars competing in four different classes
on the track at the same time. The Series has more automobile manufacturers
competing head-to-head than any other series in the world. All
race cars in the Series compete on alternative fuels. For the last
two seasons, Audi has competed with a revolutionary clean diesel-powered
race car. Last year, the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council
(EPIC) and fuel supplier VP Racing Fuels introduced E10 (10 percent
ethanol, 90 percent gasoline) to all other manufacturers who raced
in the Series. E10 is virtually the same blend that most consumers
are able to buy at their local service station. This season, the
Series in conjunction with EPIC will introduce E85 (85 percent
ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) as one of its fuel options.
This partnership between government and industry
to use the American Le Mans Series as an incubator to accelerate
the development of new, relevant and practical automotive technologies
that will use less fuel and emit fewer greenhouse gasses and
air pollutants further emphasizes the American Le Mans Series
as the global leader in this important area," said Atherton. "This
support by EPA and DOE in conjunction with the SAE comes at a
time when manufacturers and consumers alike are looking for 'green'
solutions. We are the only series in which manufacturers can
aggressively develop breakthrough technologies for automobiles
that consumers will ultimately buy and drive, reinforcing the
American Le Mans Series as the most relevant racing series in
the world."
The 11th Annual
Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta opens Wednesday with practice and
qualifying, leading up to Saturday’s 11:15 am start of
the 1,000-mile, 10-hour American Le Mans Series signature race.
Chalet
Hospitality tickets are available with advance purchase. No Chalet
Hospitality tickets will be sold at the gate. These VIP tickets
include four-day admission with paddock access, a special gift
pack and food and beverage service Friday and Saturday.
Gates will open at 7 pm Tuesday Sept. 30 and anyone who plans
on tent camping or has a non-reserved RV is encouraged to come
as early as possible as space will surely be at a premium later
in the week.
Lighthouse Family Retreat
is a wonderful organization, and Road Atlanta is proud to be
associated with the Official Charity of Petit Le Mans. Learn
More>>
"When
I heard that the American Le Mans Series was going even more
green in 2008, I just had to be a part of it. Having championed
green racing at the national level in the U.K. - and secured
the first ever outright victory for a bio-fuelled car last year
in British GT - it's great to have the opportunity this year
to race against the best in the world. The American Le Mans Series'
Green Challenge is a brilliant idea. Climate change is the greatest
challenge facing our generation and motorsport has its part to
play. Our sport doesn't just spur innovation, it changes perceptions,
particularly GT racing which is relevant to what people see on
the roads. We can show how cool, fast cars can be green too -
expanding consumer demand for green technology and making sure
that motor racing stays relevant in the 21st century. It's a
great initiative and I'm delighted to compete in it." – Lord Paul Drayson
Team Principal & Driver, DRAYSON-BARWELL MOTORSPORT (Paul Drayson is formerly Parliament's Minister of State for Defense Procurement
and Defense Minister in Great Britain's House of Lords. An Aston University graduate
with a PhD in robotics and former founder of PowderJect Pharmaceuticals, Drayson
will race a bio-ethanol fueled Aston Martin Vantage in the Series GT2 class this
season.)