Rahal Pleased With Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

Bobby Rahal is very happy with his Team Ethanol car and driver Jeff Simmons this weekend (so far). That’s what he told me in an interview just a few minutes ago.

I was hoping to be able to interview one of the owners of Rahal-Letterman Racing and got my opportunity by the garages. Bobby says that he’s happy with the performance of the ethanol blend of fuel that’s being used this year in all Indy cars. He joked that he wishes he was the only one who could be using it.

Like most people who are involved in the ethanol industry he’s a believer in what using ethanol means to the environment and in reducing our dependence on foreign oil. He’s happy that the Indy Racing League has had the opporunity to be the showcase for how well ethanol works as a performance fuel.

You can listen to my interview with the Bobby here: Listen to MP3 Bobby Rahal Interview (4 min MP3)

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Ethanol Banner

Chuck Zimmerman

I think we’ll be seeing a lot of this over the next year as the Indy Racing League moves to 100 percent ethanol fuel.

I don’t know if this is the first time this banner has been on display but it’s the first I’ve seen it.

This is the front of Liz and John Fry’s RV here at Chicagoland Speedway. You met them in my last post.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Jeff Simmons Fans

Chuck Zimmerman

They say they’re Jeff Simmons biggest fans. They’re Liz and John Fry.

They’ve got an RV out here in the infield at Chicagoland Speedway and are ready to root for the Team Ethanol car tomorrow.

I interviewed Liz and John after hearing about their belief in ethanol and enthusiasm for following Jeff Simmons.

You can listen to my interview with the Fry’s here: Listen to MP3 Interview With The Fry’s (3 min MP3)

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

EPIC Fans At The Track

Chuck Zimmerman

Speaking of EPIC members and fans.

Here’s a couple of them at the track today enjoying the sunshine and the racing.

As I write we’ve got the last race of the day taking place. I hope they had some sun block (I wish I’d put on some sun block!).

EPIC, Ethanol

EPIC Members Arrived Today

Chuck Zimmerman

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council has a number of members on hand here for Chicago racing weekend. This morning they were checking people in before heading out to the track.

EPIC members here represent a variety of companies who are directly involved in the production and promotion of ethanol. This evening they’ll all be gathered here at the track to hear from leaders in the industry and with the IRL as they talk about next year’s switch to 100 percent ethanol fuel.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Fast Practice Laps

Chuck Zimmerman

Jeff had an awesome practice session today.

At one point he made it a 3 car wide practice lap as he was passing other cars. That got everyone excited.

Jeff ended up with the 7th fastest practice lap this morning at 214.152 MPH.

I never get tired of hearing these engines whine on a 10 percent ethanol blend. If you haven’t heard them, here’s a sound clip that starts while Jeff is still in the pit and for about a minute after he peals out: Listen to MP3 Practice Laps (1 min MP3)

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Jeff Simmons Is Ready

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s a very confident looking race car driver.

This is Jeff Simmons about to get in his car for some practice laps this morning.

I talked to Jeff at yesterday’s 7-11 ethanol pump promotion. He says he’s had a lot of luck here at this track and can’t wait to get out on it. Well he’s about to. You can listen to my interview with Jeff here: Listen to MP3 Jeff Simmons Interview (3 min MP3)

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Moving Car To The Pits

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s the Rahal-Letterman Team Ethanol car being moved out to the pits for this morning’s practice session.

These guys have been working very hard on the car and now it’s time to see how it’s running.

This track has been good for driver Jeff Simmons and we hope that luck will continue this weekend.

EPIC, Indy Racing

Ethanol In Their Tank

Chuck Zimmerman

As you hopefully know by now, the Indy Racing League is in it’s conversion year of moving to ethanol as its fuel. This year all the vehicles are running on a 10 percent blend and next year it’ll be 100 percent.

There’s a lot of ethanol branding taking place at all the fueling facilities at all the tracks that host Indy races like this one here in Chicago.

EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing

Media Center In Joliet

Chuck Zimmerman

Here’s home today and tomorrow here at the Chicagoland Speedway media center. The place is full today.

Of course we’ve got 2 races today after our practice sessions which are going on right now. First up will be the SK Hand Tool 200 and then the Chicagoland 100.

We’ve also got some special activities taking place this evening which I’ll be attending and writing about. I went out and took some photos as Jeff Simmons and the #17 Ethanol car went out for practice. I’ll post several of them now and then see what else I can find.

EPIC, Indy Racing