Today, WSR team principal Dick Bennetts is pleased to announce that the British Touring Car Championship team, Team RAC, is to switch to bio-fuels for the remainder of the 2006 season.
- Team RAC confirms switch to bio-fuels
Today, WSR team principal Dick Bennetts is pleased to announce that the British Touring Car Championship team, Team RAC, is to switch to bio-fuels for the remainder of the 2006 season.
The change of fuel will be in effect from this weekend’s title races at Knockhill with the Team RAC MG ZS’ of both Colin Turkington and Rob Collard taking the environmentally friendly approach to motorsport, an initiative heavily supported by the team’s main sponsors, RAC.
At the moment the UK’s premier motorsport series accepts the use of the road fuel E85, 85% renewable fuel bio-ethanol with 15% petrol, and two cars have already test driven the fuel in this years BTCC in the hands of Fiona Leggate and Jason Hughes.
Commenting on this initiative, Dick Bennetts said: "Our primary objective is to be the first ever touring car team to achieve a podium finish to showcase the potential of green fuel for our primary sponsor, RAC. I’ve watched the E85-fuelled cars this year with interest, and RAC and EEMS (the Motorsport Development UK’s initiative Energy Efficient Motorsport) were very enthusiastic about the project. Over the past few weeks we’ve been working with our engine partner, EDL, who have undertaken some extensive testing and we’ve been suitably impressed with the results produced on the dyno."
Shaun Meadows, marketing director, RAC, commented: "New fuel technology is important to us and our members and I’m pleased to say we have begun our journey into bio-fuels with Team RAC. We recognise alternative fuel issues are high on the social and corporate agenda both in terms of environmental protection and fossil fuel sustainability and by demonstrating its use on the track we can hopefully raise awareness. There is yet to be a podium finish in the Championship for a bio-ethanol car so that is certainly what we are aiming for this weekend."
BTCC series director Alan Gow added: "This move by Team RAC is great testament to bio-fuel as I’m sure that it is not a decision which has been taken lightly due to Colin’s (Turkington) current position in the championship. I congratulate them on taking this concept further."
EEMS project leader Steve Bunkhall commented: "EEMS is delighted to see a front-running team such as Team RAC elect to use bio-fuel as it’s important for the future of alternative fuels. It’s pleasing that Team RAC has taken this decision independently and we are equally pleased to become associated with the team. EEMS objective is to become associated with automotive manufacturers and organisations, and the link with such a prestigious brand as RAC is exactly what we are aiming for."
The eighth BTCC round at Knockhill will be transmitted on ITV1 on Sunday 3 September starting at 15:00hrs. The programme will include highlights from race one and two with race three being shown live in its entirety. Satellite viewers can watch all three races live on Motors TV commencing at 10:20hrs. Further information on programme replays can be found at www.teamrac.com.
-ends-
If you would like to arrange an interview with a member of Team RAC, please contact
Sarah Owen: +44 (0)7793 633153.
For information on EEMS
please contact Janice Minton: +44 (0)1787 880820 / +44 (0)7803 050266 / janice.minton@eemsonline.co.uk
During the BTCC event at Knockhill, please contact Steve Bunkhall, EEMS Project Leader: (0)07785 912616
Note to editors
About RAC
With around seven million members, RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organizations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, windscreen repair and replacement, learning to drive, vehicle inspections and checks, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists’ needs. RAC incorporates BSM, RAC Auto Windscreens, RAC Direct Insurance and HPI. Aviva bought RAC last year. The acquisition brings together RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise and leading position in motor insurance of Norwich Union Insurance (part of Aviva). Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer, insuring one in seven motor vehicles and with a market share of around 14 per cent.
About Aviva
Aviva is the world’s fifth-largest insurance group (based on gross worldwide premiums for the year ended 31 December 2005) and the largest insurance services provider in the UK. We are one of the leading providers of life and pension products in Europe and are actively growing our long-term savings businesses in Asian markets, Australia and the USA. Our main activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. We have premium income and investment sales of Ł36 billion and Ł332 billion of assets under management. We have 58,000 employees serving 35 million customers.
About EEMS
See facts about bio-ethanol on the EEMS website www.eemsonline.co.uk Energy Efficient Motorsport (EEMS) is one of five programmes sponsored by Motorsport Development UK to sustain and develop the UKšs world-leading motorsport sector. Programme funding comes directly from the DTI and four regional development agencies. See more on www.motorsportdevelopment.co.ukEEMS seeks to encourage the development of alternative fuels and powertrain technologies and put energy efficiency at the heart of modern motorsport without comprising the sporting spectacle. There is a widely held belief that energy efficiency and green technology are not compatible with exciting motorsport. This is simply not the case in fact the UK motorsport industry stands to benefit by adopting EEMS concepts and taking a leading global role.
Copyright free images for editorial purposes are available at www.teamrac.com
To arrange an interview with a member of Team RAC, please contact Sarah Owen on 07793 633153.