The Michelin Green X Challenge will visit one of the best known “parks” in the northeastern United States -- Lime Rock Park, Conn. (July 17-18) -- as the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) resumes stateside competition following the fabled 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Consumers in the Northeast tend to be environmentally aware and interested in new technologies, so Lime Rock Park is a perfect setting for the Michelin Green X Challenge,” said Silvia Mammone, Michelin motorsports manager.
Resting on 350 acres of rolling Berkshire Mountain foothills, the setting in a natural amphitheater provides an unparalleled venue for fans to picnic on the grassy hillsides to view the ALMS race at the 1.54 mile, eight-turn natural terrain circuit that has hosted professional sports car races since 1957.
Through the first four events of the 2009 season, seven different teams have won in the Michelin Green X Challenge, representing five different manufacturers (Acura, Audi, BMW, General Motors and Porsche) and three fuels (Clean sulfur-free diesel, E10 ethanol-gasoline and Cellulosic E85). The first ALMS hybrid entry made its debut at the most recent event at Salt Lake City.
The Michelin Green X Challenge uses a formula developed by the Argonne National Laboratories to rank all cars in the race according to speed, distance covered, the amount of energy used, greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted, and petroleum displaced.
The Michelin Green X Challenge trophies are presented to the respective Prototype and GT winners. The bases for the unique Michelin Green X Challenge trophies are made of rubber recycled from Michelin Green X consumer tires.
Developed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and SAE International, the Michelin Green X Challenge is a race within the race at all 2009 American Le Mans Series events. ALMS is the only racing series meeting the “Green Racing” standards established by the DOE, EPA and SAE.
