Volkswagen will be running B5 biodiesel in all its race cars, transport vehicles and generators during the 2009 Jetta TDI Cup season.
This press release says they’ll be using the green fuel provided by Houston-based HYPERFUELS:
“We are extremely pleased to have HYPERFUELS as a partner for the 2009 Jetta TDI Cup series. SynDiesel(R) B5 biodiesel has been fully approved for use in all Volkswagen TDI powered vehicles that are available at local Volkswagen dealerships today,” said Clark Campbell, Motorsport Manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The addition of SynDiesel B5 biodiesel in the Jetta TDI Cup race cars further demonstrates the feasibility of biodiesel as an alternative fuel source for American consumers and supports the clean and green racing of the Jetta TDI Cup series,” added Campbell.
Performance testing has proven that diesel powered vehicles offer more low-end torque than traditional gasoline engines, providing quicker off-the-line acceleration that’s well suited for the race track. In addition, the Jetta TDI engine’s use of a “common rail” direct injection system improves fuel economy over gasoline engines and reduces sooty emissions by 95 percent, even under demanding race conditions. During the 2009 season, the Jetta TDI Cup cars will consume approximately two tanks of B5 biodiesel during race conditions and overall carbon emissions produced by the series will be reduced by 2,583 pounds as a result of the new fuel. These environmentally-friendly characteristics classify all Volkswagen TDI models as Advanced Lean Technology Vehicles, qualifying consumers for a $1,300 Federal Income Tax Credit.
“HYPERFUELS is excited that the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup and SCCA Pro Racing acknowledge that the addition of biodiesel creates a clean performance racing fuel,” said Jess Hewitt, President, Gulf Hydrocarbon, the parent company of HYPERFUELS. “If we can help take biodiesel awareness and performance to the next level, then everyone wins. It’s cleaner burning, yields a faster burn, produces less emissions and is easily accessible. I can’t imagine a better fuel or better cars to showcase the performance and benefits of biodiesel,” added Hewitt.
Officials say this brand of biodiesel has 20 percent more BTUs than petroleum diesel. No wonder they’re using it in racing cars.