Dyson Racing's No. 16 Mazda-powered Lola LMP2 coupe is running a blend of
ethanol and biobutanol at Road Atlanta. It will not be classified in the race.
In the ongoing rolling technology showcase that is the American Le Mans Series,
MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development, Dyson Racing and their primary Series
sponsor and technical partner, BP, will fuel one of their Mazda MZR-R-powered
Lola coupe racecars with a fuel combining both ethanol and biobutanol - an
advanced biofuel that BP is developing with its partner DuPont – in the 12th
annual Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA6.
"This weekend's debut of an ethanol and biobutanol blend in our American Le Mans
Series race car is the perfect example of the technical relationship between
Mazda and BP," said Robert Davis, Senior Vice President, Product Development and
Quality for Mazda North American Operations, and the man responsible for the
company's North American motorsport programs under the MAZDASPEED Motorsports
Development banner. "Advanced biofuels such as biobutanol, along with the choice
to use a production-derived 2.0-liter turbocharged MZR-R engine, shows the
commitment that both Mazda and BP have to bringing clean, efficient,
environmentally sensitive technologies to motorsports, and using motorsports to
improve those products before we offer them for sale to the general public."
In order to continue development of the advanced biofuel in a racing
environment, Dyson Racing will run one of its cars using the standard
Series-approved fuel (car 20), and the other (car 16) on biobutanol. Through
open and ongoing discussion between Mazda, American Le Mans Series technical
personnel and other participating teams the gasoline, ethanol and biobutanol-blend-fueled
car (car 16) will not participate for Series points during the Petit Le Mans
weekend.
BP is a leading energy company with significant investments in advanced biofuels.
It is looking for opportunities in biofuels that make both a contribution to
energy security and a material reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared
with conventional fuels. BP is committed to using economically and
environmentally sustainable feedstocks and is developing new technologies to
make good biofuels even better. Participation in American Le Mans Series
competition offers BP a unique opportunity to produce new fuels and biofuel
components, as well as demonstrate the performance of these fuels.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the
sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the
United States, Canada and Mexico through more than 850 dealers. Operations in
Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in
Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
Biobutanol facts:
• Biobutanol shares many of the environmental advantages of ethanol and has
additional benefits, including:
• Blends into gasoline at higher concentrations than ethanol without the need to
modify vehicles.
• Offers excellent fuel economy that is close to that of gasoline.
• Can be used alongside ethanol to help improve the performance of
ethanol/gasoline blends.
• Can be used in existing gasoline (petrol) supply and distribution channels,
eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure investments.
Production:
• Can utilize a variety of conventional feedstocks (such as sugar cane, corn,
wheat and sorghum), supporting global implementation.
• In future, biobutanol can be produced from cellulosic feedstocks, including
fast-growing energy crops (e.g. energy grasses) or agricultural by-products
(e.g. corn stalks).
Environmental Benefits:
• Initial indications are that, on the same feedstock basis, biobutanol delivers
emission reductions that are at least as good as ethanol.
• Biobutanol's low vapour pressure (lower than gasoline), means that vapor
pressure specifications do not need to be compromised leading to higher VOC
emissions.
The 12th annual Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA6 on Saturday, September 26 is the
American Le Mans Series' cornerstone event at Road Atlanta in Braselton Ga. The
green flag for the 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance classic is scheduled for 11:15
a.m. ET with SPEED airing live television coverage starting at 11 a.m. ET ...
rain or shine! American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche and Living Timing &
Scoring will be available on Racehub at americanlemans.com. Live coverage also
can be heard on Sirius 126 and XM 242. You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes)
and on our Facebook page.
The race will also mark the ninth round of the 2009 MICHELIN® GREEN X®
Challenge. Tickets are available at americanlemans.com and roadatlanta.com.
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