The mid-season move to bio-fuel by a top Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship team was welcomed today by EEMS, Motorsport Development UK's Energy Efficient Motorsport initiative.

The two Team RAC drivers, Colin Turkington and Rob Collard will use the road fuel blend E85, which is 85% renewable fuel bioethanol and 15% ordinary petrol, in their MG ZS cars for the rest of the season. Colin Turkington is second in the drivers' championship at the moment with 180 points, and Rob Collard lies tenth with 67 points. The team's first E85 powered race will be on Sunday 3 September at Knockhill, Scotland.

E85 is now becoming more widely available in the UK for flex-fuel vehicles. Team RAC joins EEMS-supported Fiona Leggate's Thurlby Motors Boston Bowl Tech-Speed Astra, which has run all season on E85 as well as trialling the EEMS fuel flow metering system, and more recent E85 convert Jason Hughes in his MG ZS.

Commenting on the move, team principal Dick Bennetts said: “Our primary objective is to be the first ever touring car team to achieve a podium finish to showcase the potential of green fuel for our primary sponsor, RAC. I've watched the E85-fuelled cars with interest, and RAC and EEMS were very enthusiastic about the project. Over the past few weeks we've been working with our engine partner, Engine Developments Limited, who have undertaken some extensive testing and we've been suitably impressed with the results produced on the dyno.”

EEMS project leader Steve Bunkhall welcomed Team RAC to bio-fuel: “EEMS is delighted to see a front-running team such as Team RAC elect to use bio-fuel as it's important for the future of alternative fuels. It's pleasing that Team RAC has taken this decision independently and we are equally pleased to become associated with the team. EEMS' objective is to become associated with automotive manufacturers and organisations, and the link to such a prestigious brand as RAC is exactly what we are aiming for.”

George Lendrum, Motorsport Development UK board member for EEMS was also very positive: “EEMS has been working behind the scenes all year in the Championship to increase awareness of bio-fuels and their part in the future of UK motorsport, as well as their arrival in road fuels. This move by a leading BTCC team gives us a great chance of podium finishes and even a win or two in the remaining nine races. Energy efficient motorsport is becoming a reality and the link with the RAC will bring the message very effectively to the public that bio-fuels are also on their way for road cars and will give winning performance.”

BTCC Series Director Alan Gow added: “This move by Team RAC is great testament to bio-fuel as I'm sure that it is not a decision which has been taken lightly due to Colin's (Turkington) current position in the Championship. I congratulate them on taking this concept further.”

Shaun Meadows, marketing director for RAC also supported the move: “New fuel technology is important to us and our members and I'm pleased to say we have begun our journey into bio-fuels with Team RAC. We recognise alternative fuel issues are high on the social and corporate agenda both in terms of environmental protection and fossil fuel sustainability and by demonstrating its use on the track we can hopefully raise awareness. There is yet to be a podium finish in the Championship for a bio-ethanol car so that is certainly what we are aiming for this weekend.”
 
The eighth BTCC round at Knockhill will be transmitted on ITV1 on Sunday 3 September starting at 15:00. The programme will include highlights from race one and two with race three being shown live in its entirety. Satellite viewers can watch all three races live on Motors TV from 10:20. Further information on programme replays can be found at www.teamrac.com.
 
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Photographs of the Team RAC cars with EEMS stickers will be available for download from the team site www.teamrac.com and next week on the EEMS website gallery.
 
For information on EEMS contact Janice Minton, EEMS Press Office tel 01787 880820, mobile 07803 050266 email janice.minton@eemsonline.co.uk
During the Knockhill event, please contact Steve Bunkhall, EEMS Project Leader mobile 07785 912616

EDITOR'S NOTES

See facts and interviews about bio-ethanol on the EEMS website www.eemsonline.co.uk

Energy Efficient Motorsport (EEMS) is one of five programmes sponsored by Motorsport Development UK to sustain and develop the UK's world-leading motorsport sector. Programme funding comes directly from the DTI and four regional development agencies. See more on www.motorsportdevelopment.co.uk

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 and in fact the UK motorsport industry stands to benefit by adopting EEMS concepts and taking a leading global role.

EEMS is working with championship rule makers on energy efficiency and the regulation of alternative fuels in motorsport, to encourage their wider use. EEMS has offered all BTCC teams fuel metering technology, developed by Ricardo and Pi Research. This will allow for fuel equivalency standards and, ultimately, for power to be regulated by energy flow rather than rev limits or air restrictors.