Today, WSR team principal Dick Bennetts is pleased to announce that the British Touring Car Championship team, Team RAC, is to switch to bio-fuels for the remainder of the 2006 season.
The change of fuel will be in effect from this weekend’s title races at Knockhill with the Team RAC MG ZS’ of both Colin Turkington and Rob Collard taking the environmentally friendly approach to motorsport, an initiative heavily supported by the team’s main sponsors, RAC.
At the moment the UK’s premier motorsport series accepts the use of the road fuel E85, 85% renewable fuel bio-ethanol with 15% petrol, and two cars have already test driven the fuel in this years BTCC in the hands of Fiona Leggate and Jason Hughes.
Commenting on this initiative Dick Bennetts said: “Our primary objective is to be the first ever touring car team to achieve a podium finish to showcase the potential of green fuel for our primary sponsor, RAC. I’ve watched the E85-fuelled cars this year with interest, and RAC and EEMS (the Motorsport Development UK’s initiative Energy Efficient Motorsport) were very enthusiastic about the project. Over the past few weeks we’ve been working with our engine partner, EDL, who have undertaken some extensive testing and we’ve been suitably impressed with the results produced on the dyno.”
Shaun Meadows, marketing director, RAC commented: “New fuel technology is important to us and our members and I’m pleased to say we have begun our journey into bio-fuels with Team RAC. We recognise alternative fuel issues are high on the social and corporate agenda both in terms of environmental protection and fossil fuel sustainability and by demonstrating its use on the track we can hopefully raise awareness. There is yet to be a podium finish in the Championship for a bio-ethanol car so that is certainly what we are aiming for this weekend.”
BTCC series director, Alan Gow, added: “This move by Team RAC is great testament to bio-fuel as I’m sure that it is not a decision which has been taken lightly due to Colin’s (Turkington) current position in the Championship. I congratulate them on taking this concept further.”
EEMS project leader, Steve Bunkhall, commented: “EEMS is delighted to see a front-running team such as Team RAC elect to use bio-fuel as it’s important for the future of alternative fuels. It’s pleasing that Team RAC has taken this decision independently and we are equally pleased to become associated with the team. EEMS objective is to become associated with automotive manufacturers and organisations, and the link with such a prestigious brand as RAC is exactly what we are aiming for.”
The eighth BTCC round at Knockhill will be transmitted on ITV1 on Sunday 3 September starting at 15:00hrs. The programme will include highlights from race one and two with race three being shown live in its entirety. Satellite viewers can watch all three races live on Motors TV commencing at 10:20hrs. Further information on programme replays can be found at www.teamrac.com.
It’s really pleasing to see that the BTCC is the first major championship to be taking to green fuels so much. It can truly be said to be leading the way and I hope Team RAC’s switch to Bio Ethanol is going to really show everyone the benefits of the fuel.
One small thing though - the two other runners on bio fuel - Leggate and Hughes - their cars don’t sound quite as good as the ones on normal fuel.