Michelin Green X Challenge competitors face new tests at VIR race

A new venue and new challenges await the manufacturers, teams and drivers of the  American Le Mans Series and the Michelin Green X Challenge as they head to new territory, Virginia International Raceway for the VIR 240, September 15.
 
“Racing at a new venue is always about finding efficiencies,” said Karl Koenigstein, Michelin motorsports technical leader.
 
“At any given point on the track, race cars are typically either grip-limited or power-limited,” said Koenigstein. “To be efficient, you want to use all of the power available in the most appropriate manner. That means aerodynamics, engine mapping, gearing, tires  and handling are important. Power that you cannot use is wasted.”
 
“In a four-hour race, you can’t paper over your weak points,” said Koenigstein. “To win the race and the Michelin Green X Challenge, the cars are going to need to be fast and consistent, which means highly efficient.”
 
Overseen by the Green Racing steering group comprised of representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, SAE International and the sanctioning International Motor Sports Association, ALMS Prototype and GT teams are scored on a “race within the race” based on Fast, Clean and Efficient performance factors.
 
Leading the Michelin Green X Challenge season championships heading into the four-hour race at the 3.27-mile circuit near Alton, VA, are the Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD /Honda Prototype with driver Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr and the Corvette Racing #3 Corvette C6 ZR1 driven by Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia.