SECOND BIO-ETHANOL CAR FOR BTCC GRID
Jason Hughes' Kartworld Racing MG will become the second
car in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship to
race using bio-ethanol fuel when it appears at Donington Park
this Sunday (30 July).
Hughes' car will run to the same 85 per cent bio-ethanol
ratio as Fiona Leggate's Vauxhall Astra Coupé that
has run on the fuel, made from farming crops such as sugar
beet, for the past year.
The news comes as the use of ‘green' fuels in motor
sport becomes an increasingly hot topic. Currently the BTCC,
Britain's premier motor racing championship, stands alone
in the UK in permitting cars running on bio-ethanol, liquid
petroleum gas (LPG) and diesel in addition to the more conventional
petrol.
Preston-based driver Hughes said: "The environmental
benefits are obvious and it struck me that bio-ethanol could
also give us better engine responsiveness.
"It's not rocket science - just take a look at Fiona's
car through the speed traps. It's always up there. I was also
racing with her at Thruxton and couldn't keep with her down
the straights.
"Our engine builder Judd completed the conversion within
a day - all it required was a different set of fuel injectors
and a bit of engine re-mapping and now we're all ready to
go. Another plus side is that bio-ethanol is quite a bit cheaper
than petrol."
BTCC Series Director Alan Gow commented: "The use of
environmentally friendly fuels and increasing energy efficiency
is a global topic for motor sport right now. I am very proud
that the BTCC is continuing to lead with its policy on fuels
and I am sure that many teams will be following Jason's progress
with great interest this weekend.
"Fiona has always used bio-ethanol, whereas Jason is
actually making the switch so his results will perhaps have
a greater bearing in terms of being able to monitor any performance
gains."
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