The Line #428

ALMS. Publisher's Note: The American Le Mans Series is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy and SAE International to incorporate “green racing” principles into its 2008 racing season. The ALMS will be the first motorsports series to meet the criteria for green racing being developed by these groups. The criteria set forth by SAE in concert with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy to qualify as a Green Racing series require that certain elements in a series be present. These elements focus on three vital characteristics that measure performance, fuel efficiency and ecological impact. They include: The use of renewable bio-based fuel or fuels; the use of multiple engines, fuels and powertrain configurations; the use of regenerative energy powertrain technologies; the use of well-to-wheel energy analysis and GHG analysis and the use of emission control strategies and systems.

ALMS also 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. 4 at Road Atlanta - with details to be announced later. “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,”

Atherton continued. “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.” 

I'm glad at least one organization had the balls to follow-up on the principles and visionary ideas for relevancy in motorsports first introduced in "The Future of Racing" speech I gave to auto industry and motorsports industry movers and shakers in Detroit one year ago. It's just a small step, however, and it's still not enough. Especially with F1 locked into a ludicrous 10-year engine spec "freeze" and with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway still reluctant to assume its pioneering role as the world's advanced automotive technological proving ground that it once enjoyed. And then there's NASCAR - comfortably 25 years behind the times - who just managed to get it together to go to unleaded fuel. I'm going to keep pushing and keep ranting on this subject because good enough just isn't good enough. And this just in - it never was - PMD

(Photo © 2007, John Thawley ~ Creative Communications Group All rights reserved.) 

(Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors)
Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper (left) and American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton stand with an ALMS championship-winning Corvette race car. Corvette Racing will use E85 ethanol fuel in the upcoming American Le Mans Series. 

 

(Ron McQueeney/IMS)
Dario Franchitti admires his image on the Borg-Warner Trophy during the Shav Glick Newsmakers Forum at the AARWBA Auto Racing All-America Team Banquet on Jan. 12 in Indianapolis. Franchitti also received his Champion of Champions winner's ring.

Road America. America's most beautiful and fastest race track - Road America, in Elkhart Lake, WI - has announced it's 2008 racing schedule. The dates are as follows:

• May 16-18 Spring Vintage Weekend (SVRA)
• May 17 Family Tailgate Party
• June 5-8 Suzuki Superbike Doubleheader (AMA)
• June 13-15 Vintage Cycle (AHRMA) and Moto-ST Weekend
• June 19-22 Piggly Wiggly / Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints®
• July 4-6 Championship Cup Series (motorcycles)
• July 17-20 Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman
• August 7-10 Generac 500 / American Le Mans Series Road America Grand Prix / Champ Car World Series
• September 19-21 VSCDA Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival®
• October 25 Mid-American Stock Car Series and the Road America Cancer Walk/Run

In addition to major race events, Road America offers motorcycle and supermoto schools, corporate ATV and karting programs, and top-of-the-line hospitality. Season tickets are $390 through May 19, 2008. Special promotions are held throughout the year and can be found on-line. For more information visit www.roadamerica.com or call 800/365-7223.