Fiona Leggate runs on renewable fuel with EEMS support - Moves afoot to encourage teams to run on bio-fuels - Fuel-metering trialled to provide energy equivalency for mixed fuel motorsport in the future

The Energy Efficient Motorsport (EEMS) initiative of Motorsport Development UK has renewed support for the number 82 Thurlby Motors Boston Bowl Tech-Speed Astra Coupé, driven by 25 year old Fiona Leggate. The car, which trialled increasing blends of renewable bio-ethanol and petrol in 2005, is this year fuelled with E85, the blend of 15% petrol, 85% bio-ethanol now available in the UK for road vehicles. The Tech-Speed team confirm that the fuel-blend did not compromise power, speed or reliability. This weekend the team has travels to Mondello Park, Ireland for the second race weekend.

Fiona's green Astra clocked Silverstone speed traps fourth fastest in 2005 qualifying and finished the race fifth overall. Fiona was voted ‘Rookie of the Year' by the knowledgeable BTCC fans. This year has already seen progress. At the first round at Brands Hatch, Fiona improved by half a second a lap in her first races on the short circuit configuration. “I've made major steps forward with my confidence with the car this weekend,” she stated later, “it felt really good to be running this pace. My aim is to stick to the pack at the front of the grid in my first full BTCC season.”

The bio-ethanol in E85 blend is an alcohol fuel made from crops such as sugar-beet or wheat and can be made from crop waste, so increasing use of this fuel will help Britain's farmers as well as the environment - both of which are important for 25 year old Fiona, from a Lincolnshire farming family.

Alternative fuel is not the only energy-efficient aspect of the car. The 250 BHP, 138mph Astra also continues to run the fuel metering system developed last year by Ricardo for EEMS, which precisely monitors the engine's fuel consumption.

“This is part of EEMS ongoing studies to find a sustainable approach to regulations and to encourage greater fuel efficiency in motorsport,” said Dr Steve Bunkhall, EEMS Project Leader. “Limiting the maximum fuel flow means that teams would have to find the most energy efficient approach to be competitive. ‘Energy equivalent flow' will clearly define equivalency issues and open the way for alternative fuels to compete fairly alongside petrol in mainstream UK motorsport.”

The same fuel metering technology is being offered free of charge to all BTCC teams to prove its reliability and effectiveness. EEMS' ambition is for the fuel flow limit to be adopted in the future to make energy efficiency key to competitiveness.

There is also the possibility of alternative fuels being provided in the future. Representatives from EEMS are taking soundings from BTCC teams and sponsors about widening the use of environmentally friendly fuels, exploring the feasibility of underwriting the conversion of cars and the provision of fuels such as bio-ethanol and biodiesel. Any proposal will work within TOCA's commitment to Super 2000 Regulations from 2007.

“Environmental pressures are already changing the automotive world. There is an opportunity for UK Motorsport, with its world class expertise and experience, to lead the way to a greener automotive future by showcasing more energy efficient racing that is still exciting to watch and participate in, at the same time reducing the environmental impact of motorsport itself,‘ said Steve Bunkhall.

Alan Gow, BTCC Series Director, actively encourages the initiative: “The BTCC is an excellent platform to raise public awareness of alternative fuels and how they might find their way into the cars you and I drive on the road.”
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For more information, visit www.eemsonline.co.uk
Janice Minton, EEMS Press Office
Telephone 01787 880820  Fax 01787 880028   Mobile 07803 050266
Email janice.minton@eemsonline.co.uk

NOTES FOR EDITORS
Energy Efficient Motorsport (EEMS) is one of five programmes sponsored by Motorsport Development UK, whose mission is to sustain and develop the UK's world-leading motorsport sector. Funding for the programme comes directly from the Department of Trade and Industry and four regional development agencies.

EEMS seeks to encourage the development of alternative fuels and powertrain technologies and put energy efficiency at the heart of modern motorsport - without comprising the sporting spectacle. There is a widely held belief that energy efficiency and green technology are not compatible with exciting motorsport.  This is simply not the case - in fact the UK motorsport industry stands to benefit by adopting EEMS concepts and taking a leading global role.

Bio-ethanol is non-toxic, water soluble and quickly biodegradable. It has a higher octane rating than petrol and so can give more power, but a lower energy density so a larger fuel tank is required to give the same range. 5% is now being added to petrol at some supermarkets. Ordinary road cars can run on petrol mixed with up to 10-15% bio-ethanol. According to UK Government figures, if all UK cars ran on a 5% bio-ethanol/petrol mix, this would reduce CO2 emissions by 1 million tonnes a year - the equivalent of taking a million cars of the road.

Bio-ethanol contains 35% oxygen. Adding oxygen to fuel gives you better fuel combustion, reducing exhaust emissions. It also reduces the need to add toxic components such as benzene, a carcinogen. Plus the CO2 produced by its use is taken up by the growth of that amount of crop. The fuel is alcohol in a pure form - it's 205% proof, compared to whisky which is about 30%. And it has to have a small percentage of chemical added to prevent people making drinks from it.

Bio-ethanol can be produced from crop waste and wood waste, so the same area of land can provide a food crop plus waste to be distilled into bio-ethanol. Production is starting in the UK now.

For more information, visit www.eemsonline.co.uk
Janice Minton, EEMS Press Office  Telephone 01787 880820  Fax 01787 880028   Mobile 07803 050266
Email janice.minton@eemsonline.co.uk

Other information: www.fionaleggate.co.uk, www.btcc.net, www.thurlbymotors.net

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