Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand converts to E85

In New Zealand, the Toyota Racing Series has adopted E85 ethanol as its racing fuel. The series will be the first to feature production cars running biofuels under extreme conditions. Other auto racing series that use ethanol feature cars built specifically for the race series. Auto racing officials noted that under racing conditions, the E85 blends are showing reduced emissions, increased power and torque over conventional fuels.

The ruling body of Formula One racing recently banned further investment in F1 engines, and required teams to invest in developing hybrid engines or other more environmentally-friendly engine technologies. Formula One had previously mandated that 5.75 percent of fuel used in F1 racing come from renewable sources.

The Indy Racing League runs on 100 percent ethanol, while General Motors has been in the news this past month encouraging NASCAR to switch to biofuels.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Corvette Racing Team converts to E85 for American LeMans series

The Corvette Racing team will convert to E85 ethanol for the 2008 American Le Mans season, using cellulosic ethanol produced by KL Process Design Group from wood waste. The fuel will debut at the Mobi...

Advanced Biofuels USA launches Green Racing R&D web site

In Maryland, Advanced Biofuels USA launched its Green Racing R&D web site page in conjunction with a series of interviews conducted with leaders in innovative “green” racing at the American Le...

Ferrari debuts flex fuel F430 Spider at International Auto Show; carmaker aims to cut overall emissions by 40 percent by 2012

Ferrari said that it has developed an E85 capability for its F430 Spider, and demonstrated the car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The car maker has set a goal of cutting its...

Hyperfuels division of Gulf Hydrocarbon Partners becomes biofuel sponsor of the Jetta TDI Cup race series

In Massachusetts, Volkswagen of America announced that the Hyperfuels division of Gulf Hydrocarbon Partners as Official Fuel Sponsor of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup racing series. In the Jetta TD...

GM pushes ethanol for NASCAR racing

Nascar is in talks with General Motors about introducing ethanol into the stock-car racing league's fuel mix. The concept was broached by GM and reportedly a sticking point is NASCAR's marketing partn...

Toyota on verge of partnership with Petrobras in Brazilian sugarcane ethanol plant

In Brazil, Toyota Tsusho said that it was completing its feasibility studies on a partnership with Petrobras for an ethanol plant in Goias state. Under a proposed agreement, Toyota and Petrobras would...