The farms and cornfields surrounding the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course here in central Ohio serve as a fitting backdrop for America’s premiere “Green Racing” series and the first .
While horse drawn carriages can often be seen on local roads near the 2.25-mile, 13-turn Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the cars competing in the Acura Sports Car Challenge (August 7-8) will explore new technologies in energy efficiency as they simultaneously compete in the Michelin Green X Challenge, “a race within the race” held at every American Le Mans Series event.
ALMS entries draw upon ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, low sulfur diesel or gas-hybrid power for competition in the two-hour 45-minute race.
“Race cars that are more efficient or use less energy either improve their performance by going faster or extend their range by running longer on the same amount fuel,” said Silvia Mammone, Michelin Motorsports manager. “We have seen five different manufacturers (Acura, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet and Porsche) and seven different teams capture Michelin Green X Challenge wins in the first five races. What is very interesting is that every Michelin Green X Challenge winner has finished first or second in the race itself, there is a clear link between being fast in the race and being cleaner or more energy efficient.”
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 labeled consumer tires.
