PHYSICS OF RACING: MAKING MOTORSPORTS MATTER

Explaining the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge in three easy steps

The invariable question for any new (or even long-time) motorsports fan is "Why does this matter to me?" No other racing Series in the world, though, is better equipped to answer that question than the American Le Mans Series. The platform of encouraging its teams and manufacturers to pursue innovative, relevant applications of today's automotive technology for tomorrow's showrooms and dealerships is a hallmark of endurance racing's heritage around the world.

As the Global Leader in Green Racing - and cited by the US Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, and SAE International as the only motorsports series to meet its green racing protocols - the American Le Mans Series is proud of its partnership with Michelin in creating the MICHELIN(R) GREEN X(R) Challenge, a revolutionary competition that rewards teams and manufacturers for going the farthest the fastest and with the least amount of environmental impact.

Sound complicated? It doesn't have to be. Renowned physicist Diandra Leslie-Pelecky walks us through the elements of the competition, which debuted in 2008. Once again, it will be a feature of each Series round in 2010.

With a Ph.D. in condensed matter physics from Michigan State University, Leslie-Pelecky has been involved with science education for K-12 schools, future science teachers, and the public since graduate school. She has directed projects aimed at improving science education at all levels, supported primarily by the National Science Foundation. Most recently, she wrote and hosted the Science of Speed video series produced by the National Science Foundation.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America's greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. For ticket and accommodation information, see sebringraceway.com.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway.

Related Web Site Links

Video Link: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid63347572001?bctid=63387776001