Auto racing is going green. The American Le Mans Series, one of the most well-known and well-respected racing leagues, has done its part in recent years to make the sport of automobile racing more green. The organization strives to save energy and has reduced its gasoline use by 48% in recent races thanks to their green racing initiatives.
According to the organization, the concept of green racing was developed in part thanks to help from the US Department of Energy, the US Environmental Agency and SAE International.
The auto racing series officials set out several major criteria to qualify any race or race series green.
- the use of renewable bio-based fuels in race cars OR
- vehicles must use regenerative energy technologies, which recover and reuse energy OR
- make use of green tech in multiple engine, fuel and powertrain configurations (meaning each car’s design must pioneer the use of new design technology from an engineering perspective, mechanically and or by using alternative fuel)
The ALMS (American Le Mans Racing Series) has always been taken seriously by car guys and auto racing enthusiasts, and many gear heads are surprised to learn the organization’s racers have been successfully meeting all the criteria since 2009.
Since 2009, the ALMS has even offered additional perks and bragging rights rewards to the race teams that go the fastest and farthest. Their most important goal is to develop cars that leave the smallest carbon footprint, so those who perform at high levels as exotic cars with regard to speed also have to do so with very little energy for hutzpah and distance used.
“People think that you can’t be clean, fast and efficient, but the racers and the manufacturers know that the most efficient cars usually win,” said Silvia Mammone, Michelin motorsports manager, when discussing the ALMS race at the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix (first run over Labor Day Weekend in 2011).
And winning races while protecting the environment is something many old-school racers never thought would be.
“Cool cars make all the difference…” says 19-year-old motorsports enthusiast Drew Davis. “I’m younger than most of the people I talk to about car racing, so maybe it gives me a different perspective, but a green car (to me) that can go fast and handle beautifully is far more exciting to watch compete.”
The only thing that could make the green racing initiative better says Davis?
“If every race and practice lap each team ran they would volunteer the time and money needed to plant a tree.”