Biodiesel Boat Abandons Record Chase

John Davis

EarthraceA 100% biodiesel-fueled boat has had to give up its quest to break a world record for racing around the world. According to this story posted on C/Net.com, the captain of the Earthrace says it would be impossible to break the 75-day record set in 1998 by a group of British sailors in a regular diesel boat:

TV 3 in New Zealand reports that Pete Bethune, captain of the Earthrace, has conceded that it will be impossible to beat the record.

The Earthrace, a boat that runs on biodiesel and employs other green technologies, launched on March 10 from Barbados. Since then, it has been plagued by mechanical problems and also got delayed by a wreck in Central America. For the past several days, the boat has been stuck in Palau foraging for parts.

“Even if we had a perfect run from here, there’s no way we’d get the record by Barbados,” Bethune, who is from New Zealand, wrote in his blog. Bethune’s last post was April 26, on the early side of the International Date Line. The TV 3 story was posted April 27, New Zealand time.

Some biodiesel refiners had been providing fuel for the Earthrace. However, the green fuel is not available in Palau where it is now stuck.

Biodiesel, International

Jeff Simmons Qualifies at 210.994

Chuck Zimmerman

Team Ethanol Transport TruckThe truck that transports Team Ethanol got a new paint job for this season. I hadn’t seen it before today. Looks pretty slick to me.

It’s the end of the day for me here at Kansas Speedway. The Indy car qualifying is over now and Jeff Simmons got through it okay. His qualifying time is 210.994 MPH. That ethanol fuel definitely has a kick. After they qualify the drivers all come by the IRL Bull Pen for pics and interviews. Of course I interviewed Jeff. He’s our ethanol champion out there and we’re definitely rooting for him tomorrow.

Jeff wishes he had done a little better in qualifying but says the car races better than it qualifies. I guess we’ll see tomorrow.

Listen to my interview with Jeff: Listen to MP3 Jeff Simmons Interview (1 min MP3)

My photo album for this weekend is growing. Check out all the ethanol related activities.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Indy Racing, Racing

Jeff Simmons in Practice

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff Pitting in PracticeThe Indy cars are on their final round of practice right now. One of them is our favorite, #17, Jeff Simmons.

Jeff is coming into the pits here. All the cars seem to be running pretty well today. Of course, they’re running on 100% ethanol so what do you expect, eh?

Jeff had a great race last week in Japan and we’ll be rooting for him again tomorrow.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

Patron Car Practice

Chuck Zimmerman

Patron CarThe coolest looking Indy cars have to belong to Rahal-Letterman Racing. However if you look at the other cars this year, several have new designs and color schemes.

Here’s Scott Sharp doing a practice lap here at Kansas Speedway this morning. He’s the Patron car driver. It’s got a real glowing green and black design.

Besides the Patron car Rahal has the Ethanol car which is my personal favorite. I really think that the color and design of this car is largely responsible for the fact that the other cars have really updated their designs.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

Clif Bar Using Biodiesel

John Davis

Clif Bar logoOrganic snack bar maker… and environmentally-active company… Clif Bar is now using eight biodiesel trucks to help marketing managers deliver their snacks, along with an Earth-friendly message.

This story on GNET.org says the change is part of the company lessening its impact on global warming:

By converting its field marketing vehicles to biodiesel and eliminating the need for 8,000 gallons of gasoline each year, Clif Bar expects to reduce the fleet’s CO2 emissions — the major cause of global warming — by about 40 percent, or 60,000 pounds of CO2.

“We’re always looking for ways to reduce our ecological footprint — it’s one of our bottom lines,” said Clif Bar Owner and Founder Gary Erickson, who drives biodiesel-fueled vehicles for personal use. “We’re using as many organic ingredients as possible in our food, reducing waste in our packaging, ‘greening’ our office space, and reducing our impact on global warming by helping build wind farms and planting trees. The use of biodiesel is another important step in our ongoing journey to operate a sustainable business.”

The fleet will be in Boston, Chicago, Colorado, Los Angeles, Northern California, the Northwest, San Diego/Arizona and Texas where the marketing managers rack up more than 120,000 miles a year.
Start Global Cooling
The latest move is in line with Clif Bar’s campaign known as “Start Global Cooling.” Check out the cool logo.

Looks like they’re talking the talk and, in this case, driving the walk.

Biodiesel

TDOT Going Biodiesel

John Davis

TDOT BiodieselTennessee’s Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced today that it is expanding its use of biodiesel into vehicles used in Nashville.

According to a release on TDOT’s web site, the agency has been using biodiesel for two years in a 130-vehicle test fleet in East Tennessee as part of the Pilot Fleet Program:

Nicely“It’s imperative that government and businesses begin identifying ways to improve air quality,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Using biodiesel is an effective way TDOT can reduce harmful emissions and protect our environment.”

TDOT is using B20… 20% biodiesel and 80% regular diesel fuel. Eighty-one heavy-duty dump trucks, bull dozers and back hoes are using the biodiesel.

Biodiesel, Government

Mow Greener

Cindy Zimmerman

Lawnmower The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new regulations to cut harmful emissions from lawnmowers and other small engines. The new proposal would set strict standards for most lawn and garden equipment but would not go into effect until at least 2011.

In the meantime, lawn jockeys can do their part to help cut emissions by using 10 percent ethanol in their gas-powered lawn mowers, trimmers, edgers and blowers, according to the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC).

Small engines can efficiently burn E10, a blend of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol. The use of E10 reduces greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 30 percent.

EPIC also offers other tips for conserving fuel and helping the environment during lawn care, such as keeping equipment well-maintained. Tuning up a typical walk-behind lawn mower at the beginning of the season can eliminate the same amount of exhaust emissions produced by driving a car 26 miles, according to Briggs & Stratton research engineers. It will also conserve gasoline. They also suggest leaving grass clippings on the ground instead of picking them up. Grass cycling makes the mowing process much faster and the grass blades redistribute nitrogen to the lawn and soil.

EPIC, Ethanol, News

Kansas City Racing Weekend

Chuck Zimmerman

Kansas City SkylineKansas City is drawing in racing fans for weekend action. I’m out at the Kansas Speedway track and just getting my bearings since I didn’t get to spend much time here last year.

Action will pick up tomorrow when the cars get to practice out on the track and then we have qualifying for Sunday’s race. I’ll be doing some interviews and taking lots of pictures in an effort to cover the news from the ethanol industry perspective. I hope you will enjoy it.

This evening I’ll be meeting with a number of Team Ethanol folks including members of the staff of EPIC. I should know more about what our schedule will be like after then.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Ethanol

New Team Ethanol Show Car

Chuck Zimmerman

Team Ethanol Show CarI’m wondering how many times I’ve taken a picture of this car. Actually this is the new show car for Team Ethanol which was on hand at yesterday’s Snappy Mart pump promotion.

The demand for this show car is tremendous and there are now several of them that tour the country and get displayed at events of all types. One of the first things I noticed was the shiny front struts. Last year’s model had black ones. The paint job is fresh and contains several new sponsor logos this year too.

The “real thing” will be on the track tomorrow morning for practice laps in advance of Sunday’s race and qualifying is tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be at the track all day conducting interviews and taking pictures.

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News

IRL Loves Ethanol Public Relations

Chuck Zimmerman

Amy KonrathOn hand at the pump promotion for ethanol in Kansas City yesterday was Amy Konrath (pictured to the right of two representatives of Rahal-Letterman Racing). Amy works in public relations for the Indy Racing League.

I thought it would be interesting to hear her perspective about how the relationship between the IRL and Team Ethanol has benefited the League. She says it’s been great since it gives the IRL something to promote and focus attention on what they’re doing to help with our country’s energy needs.

Listen to my interview with Amy: Listen to MP3 Amy Konrath Interview (2 min MP3)

2007 Kansas Lottery Indy 300 Photo Album

Audio, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News