Greenest race car for 12-hour race
Britain Eco Racing has successfully tested its SR9 LMP1 prototype race car - a diesel engined speedster. This should however not be the strangest thing coming out of competitive motor sport. Over the past few years, several production car series have seen manufacturers enter diesel powered vehicles, with especially Volkswagen (including its SEAT and Audi ranges) as well as BMW featuring prominently.
However, the SR9 LMP1 is more than just a diesel engined race car. Apart from harnessing a modified 5 litre V10 diesel engine from the VW Touareq SUV, the machine can run on pure jatropha-derived biofuel or a 50:50 mix green and crude diesel. Also, it is able to run on Shell GTL fuel as well – a gas-to-liquid diesel.
In addition, several other features make this car significantly environmentally friendlier than its competition, including bodywork components made from 100% recyclable hemp, solar panelling on the body to power some electrical equipment, and water-based body paint in stead of petroleum based equivalents.
Team manager Ian Dawson – which also managed a diesel racing outfit at Le Mans in 2004 – said that “we want a car with a low carbon footprint, because that is the way motor sport is heading. We are aiming to make the most economical vehicle, rather than necessarily the fastest car.” Dawson and his team plans to enter the SR9 LMP1 into the 12-hours of Sebring race, and annual endurance race in Sebring, Florida.
Source: Evo Magazine
By Christie Viljoen
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