Testing Ethanol in the Engines at Indy

Cindy Zimmerman

Indy Ethanol Here’s a screen shot from the home page of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway heralding the ethanol fuel test drive Monday on the track. According to an Indy release, drivers Jeff Simmons of Rahal Letterman Racing and Tony Kanaan of Andretti Green Racing drove Dallara/Honda/Firestone cars powered by ethanol and the 3.5-liter engine, the first time that package was tested at Indy.

Indy LogoSimmons, who drives the No. 17 Ethanol-sponsored car co-owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal and late-night talk show legend Dave Letterman, said changes in the performance of the car, with the new fuel and engine combination, are noticeable.

“There’s a difference, and it’s all been positive so far,” Simmons said. “It’s great to be one of the guys to have the chance to run the new motor next year with the 100 percent ethanol.

Pictures and lots more information are on-line at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway site.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, Racing