IndyCar - The Future of Motorsport

Fusion of power and innovation has been a hallmark of the IndyCar Series since its inception. In 2007, the series again will be a technological pioneer with the introduction of 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol in its Honda Indy V-8 engines.

Embracing an alternative fuel produced in the United States has struck a chord with consumers and has caught the attention of editors of Popular Science magazine, who have invited the IndyCar Series to showcase its association with ethanol at the 19th annual “Best of What’s New” show Nov. 7-9 in New York City.

The IndyCar Series utilizing ethanol in its 650-horsepower racing engines certainly fits the theme of the event, “The Future Now,” in Vanderbilt Hall of the cavernous Grand Central Station (42nd Street at Park Avenue).

“We are honored to be playing such an integral role in Popular Science’s ‘Best of What’s New’ show,” said Brian Barnhart, president and COO of the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body of the IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series. “The anticipation and momentum building towards ethanol’s 100 percent fuel-grade debut in 2007 exemplifies the regard held that the IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway are innovators in motorsports safety and technology.”

Ethanol, made from a variety of plants including corn, milo/sorghum, sugar cane and switch grass, has proven to burn cleaner than methanol and gasoline, the majority of current racing fuels. On-track testing of the 3.5-liter Honda Indy V-8 engines fueled by ethanol also has shown increased mileage over methanol.

The 100 percent non-toxic and biodegradable fuel is rapidly gaining favor in the United States as an alternative source of energy. Ethanol production facilities across the country are being built, and E-85 pumps (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline) for flex-fuel vehicles are becoming more readily available.

“The Indy Racing League has always been an early adopter of technologies that increase performance,” said Tom Slunecka, executive director of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. “Choosing ethanol to fuel the IndyCars has demonstrated ethanol is a performance fuel. It has helped to raise awareness among consumers that ethanol will perform in their vehicles.

“We look forward to seeing those technologies developed for the IndyCar Series to capitalize on ethanol’s attributes, implemented in the passenger fleet.”

In July, President George W. Bush praised the IndyCar Series as being “leading edge” for its use of ethanol. It drew the interest of the editors of Popular Science magazine. Each year, they review thousands of products in search of the top 100 tech innovations -- breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap in their categories.

The best are displayed in New York and featured in the December issue of the magazine. Last year, the “Best of What’s New” show drew more than 150,000 visitors in addition to the one million-plus who pass through Grand Central Station each day.

An ethanol IndyCar Series simulator will be part of the display for visitors to try their hand racing on the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Indy Racing League’s trackside Timing and Scoring station, which shows real-time track data on monitors, also will be part of the display.