Industry News
IRL appoints Brazilian ethanol supplier
19th November 2008
The US based Indianapolis Racing League has appointed the Brazilian company APEX-Brasil as the official supplier of bioethanol fuel for the IndyCars series with effect from 2009.
Under the terms of the multi-year deal APEX-Brasil in cooperation with UNICA (the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association) will seek a partnership with a US-based ethanol company to supply the IndyCar Series with corn-based ethanol.
A statement issued by the IRL said, ‘One of the primary messages of the new partnership is that regardless of the sources used in the production of ethanol - corn, sugarcane, or various cellulosic materials in the future - the end product is identical, a clean, renewable bio-fuel that reduces dependence on fossil fuels and combats one of the major causes of climate change.’
Terry Angstadt, the president of the commercial division of the IRL said, "The move to other sources of ethanol is a natural progression as the ethanol industry continues to grow and evolve. We continue to strive to be on the leading edge of the greening of racing. The IndyCar Series was the first motorsports series to mandate use of a renewable fuel, and now we will work with the ethanol industry in both the United States and Brazil to promote the use of all types of ethanol by consumers.
"During our recent manufacturer roundtables, the participating engine companies were enthusiastic about our potential use of various sources of ethanol. We feel this move is another step in the right direction with our goal of introducing a new engine and chassis by the 2011 season."
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