American Le Mans Series executives took advantage of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to present a new face of auto racing.
They're committed to implementing a new set of rules and regulations to encourage manufacturers to develop new, more efficient technologies so as to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. They're hoping to see a new generation of clean powertrains, like Audi's diesel V10.
This open-mindness from endurance race organizations is proof that auto racing and environmental protection can go hand in hand. You don't see that in F1, Champ Car, IRL or even NASCAR, which still run on exotic fuels.
Relevance
Scott Atherton, President and CEO of ALMS, told the media that performance and fuel-efficiency will now be combined in a best-of-both-worlds scenario. The goal is to stimulate efforts to improve technologies and help change attitudes.
He particularly talked about the "relevance" of motorsport technologies in today's world. "In the past, manufacturers developed breakthrough technologies for automobiles that consumers would ultimately buy and drive, he said. However, people seem to have lost this focus, and that's what we're trying to recapture."
Partnership with government agencies
The surprising news might be the partnership between the ALMS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
According to Margo T. Oge, Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality at the EPA, "the agency is supporting this initiative because the ALMS is truly committed and not just being well-intentioned. We also appreciate the open-mindness and the possibility to use different technologies to reach the same goal."
In this regard, Atherton clearly opened the door to various energy alternatives to power ALMS cars, whether it's ethanol, low-emission diesel or electric-hybrid technology. He firmly believes that the Series must encourage manufacturers to develop and put new, relevant and practical automotive technologies to the test in order to improve the situation.
They're committed to implementing a new set of rules and regulations to encourage manufacturers to develop new, more efficient technologies so as to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. They're hoping to see a new generation of clean powertrains, like Audi's diesel V10.
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This open-mindness from endurance race organizations is proof that auto racing and environmental protection can go hand in hand. You don't see that in F1, Champ Car, IRL or even NASCAR, which still run on exotic fuels.
Relevance
Scott Atherton, President and CEO of ALMS, told the media that performance and fuel-efficiency will now be combined in a best-of-both-worlds scenario. The goal is to stimulate efforts to improve technologies and help change attitudes.
He particularly talked about the "relevance" of motorsport technologies in today's world. "In the past, manufacturers developed breakthrough technologies for automobiles that consumers would ultimately buy and drive, he said. However, people seem to have lost this focus, and that's what we're trying to recapture."
Partnership with government agencies
The surprising news might be the partnership between the ALMS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
According to Margo T. Oge, Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality at the EPA, "the agency is supporting this initiative because the ALMS is truly committed and not just being well-intentioned. We also appreciate the open-mindness and the possibility to use different technologies to reach the same goal."
In this regard, Atherton clearly opened the door to various energy alternatives to power ALMS cars, whether it's ethanol, low-emission diesel or electric-hybrid technology. He firmly believes that the Series must encourage manufacturers to develop and put new, relevant and practical automotive technologies to the test in order to improve the situation.