Cellulosic Ethanol To Debut at Sebring

In a technological breakthrough in both the renewable fuels arena and racing, KL Process Design Group (KL) of Rapid City, SD, will supply the American Le Mans Series with cellulosic E85 racing ethanol for the 2008 season.
The fuel, produced from waste wood, will be used for the first time during the season opener — Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 15, 2008.
Consumer E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.
Cellulosic ethanol is produced from biomass such as wood waste, switchgrass or citrus.
Corvette Racing will be the first team to use the cellulosic-based flex-fuel ethanol in competition.
“This is a groundbreaking achievement not only in motorsports, but also in the drive to relevant fuel technologies,” said Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the American Le Mans Series.
“The American Le Mans Series was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the only motorsports entity to meet the criteria for ‘green racing’.
“Introducing cellulosic E85 racing ethanol to our series with one of our most noted championship teams does nothing but reinforce our commitment to be the global leader in green racing.”
There will be at least two automotive manufacturers that will run cellulosic E85 racing ethanol during the 2008 season — Corvette Racing and Aston Martin Racing.