Detroit Commentary and Reactions
GREEN RACING: DETROIT COMMENTARY AND REACTIONS
Reactions and commentaries on the American Le Mans Series' partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy and SAE International to establish Green Racing principles into the 2008 season are rolling in. Many prominent mainstream, automotive and technology Web sites offered praise to the Series for strengthening its leadership position in the area of alternative energy sources.
Here is just a small sampling of what was said in the 24 hours after Tuesday's announcement:
"The announcement by the American Le Mans Series that it was partnering with the Department of Energy, the Society of Engineers and virtually everyone else who cares about regulating and creating vehicles that will go a long way with various propulsion devices is a game changer. And you know what - it is the logical and only big time race series that can take the point."
Dutch Mandel
Autoweek.com
"A platform for cleaner, greener auto racing in 2008 was outlined (Tuesday) in Detroit. Listening in were American Le Mans Series, Chevy and SAE International executives and government agencies in town for preview week for the North American International Auto Show.
"Leading the way was Corvette Racing, who will use a blend of 85 percent ethanol (E85) and 15 percent gasoline in their two canary yellow Compuware-sponsored C6.R race cars in the Series this season. Mazda North America, American Honda Motor Co. Inc. (Acura) and Porsche Cars North America were among a list of other manufacturers to jump aboard what Series president and CEO Scott Atherton dubbed the 'Green Racing Challenge,' an initiative involving the series, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy and SAE that would promote the use alternative fuels and other related innovations in the Series, starting at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring endurance race at Sebring International Raceway in Florida on March 15."
Mike Brudenell
Detroit Free Press
"This creative partnership promotes the use of alt fuels and new technologies that may find their way into your next car or truck."
Anita Lienert
Edmunds.com
"There's evidence (that) series like the American Le Mans Series influences automakers, as well as everyday drivers: Audi, which has raced a diesel car in the American Le Mans Series for the last two years ... unveiled a diesel-powered R8 concept road car at the Detroit show."
Jennifer Kho
greentechmedia.com
"Competing manufacturers ... are required to develop and produce a virtually unlimited array of energy-efficient technologies. While biofuel and other alternative fuels represent the first step in the series, which will start at Sebring in March, the Series should eventually result in the cars racing against each other with hybrid, fuel cell, energy retrieval and other CO 2 -reducing power systems."
John Griffiths
London Financial Times
Preparations for the 2008 American Le Mans Series, its 10th season of world-class sports car racing, begin January 28-30 with the annual Winter Test at Sebring International Raceway.
The 2008 season opens with the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 15. The race will start at 10 a.m. ET and will be broadcast live by SPEED, which will begin its coverage at 9:30 a.m. American Le Mans Radio and IMSA's Live Timing & Scoring will be available at americanlemans.com
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