Ethanol: Now Powering The IndyCar Series

It’s official. In what’s been called “the most significant fuel change in recent history,” the IndyCar® Series is the first in auto racing to power its cars with 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol.

Already known for technical leadership and innovation, the IndyCar Series uses this renewable, environmentally friendly fuel – safely and effectively – in some of racing’s fastest competitions. At the highest level of auto racing, ethanol has been proven to be safer and faster.

How did all this come about? “Survival of the fastest.” Here’s the evolution of the ethanol-IndyCar Series partnership:

2005		Ethanol becomes IndyCar Series team sponsor.
2006		Ethanol organizations work with league to introduce ethanol-methanol blend.
2007		The IndyCar Series introduces 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol for 17-race schedule that runs from March through September and includes the Indianapolis 500 on May 26.

Renova Energy: Now Producing Ethanol

Renova Energy of Torrington, Wyoming is the official supplier of ethanol to the IndyCar Series for the 2007 season. The company produces 10 million gallons of ethanol annually. A new plant in Heyburn, Idaho, scheduled to open in the fall of 2007, will produce another 20 million gallons of fuel.

But don’t think racing gets special treatment. Renova Energy produces ethanol the same way for an IndyCar Series car that speeds around a track at 220 mph as it does for a family sedan traveling 25 mph on city streets.

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Imagine Ethanol In Your Own Tank

If a 650-horsepower IndyCar Series car can race around a super speedway – covering the length of a football field in one second – while running on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol – just think how your vehicle would run with a 90 percent gasoline/10 percent ethanol blend … or how an E85 vehicle might perform.

Bonus: Ethanol offers the environmental benefit of reduced emissions.

Indy Racing League (IRL)

The IRL is the sanctioning body – the rules and regulations organization – for one of motorsports’ most grueling and demanding categories: The predominantly American-based open-wheel racing series. The group’s development of a consistent engine package and chassis rules has led to some of the closest finishes in any racing series.

Founded in 1994 by Tony George, the IRL is owned by Hulman and Co., which also owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway complex and the famed Indianapolis 500.

The league consists of two series:

• The premiere IndyCar Series: Synonymous with the Indy Racing League
• The Indy Pro Series: A developmental series

Originally, the IRL raced exclusively on oval tracks. Later, three road/street course events at Watkins Glen, Infineon and St. Petersburg were added. In 2007, two more road/street events have been scheduled at Mid-Ohio and Bell Isle.

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