The environment is making headlines, and evidence for the reality of climate change is overwhelming. How can motorsport contribute to the solution instead of being seen as part of the problem?

The Oaktec Honda Insight uses fuel efficient hybrid technology, which combines electric and internal combustion engines in a sporty package which is clean and green...and fast.

Energy Efficient Motorsport (EEMS) is showing how UK Motorsport companies and engineers can lead the way to a greener future. We are proposing:

• Changes to technical regulations
• More efficient use of fuel energy
• Use of renewable biofuels and energy efficient technology

British racing teams have lead the way as the first of the modern era to race at the famous Le Mans 24 Hour race with bio-ethanol and diesel powered engines. In 2005 EEMS helped introduce the first bio- fuelled car into the British Touring Car Championship - the E85 bio-ethanol powered Vauxhall Astra driven by Fiona Leggate.

Now EEMS and Oaktec have teamed up to show how hybrid cars can be even greener.

The Oaktec Honda Insight competes in the Formula 1000 Rally series based in NW England in partnership with The Mersey Forest, a sustainability project. At 85g/km the Insight produces the lowest CO2 emissions of any production car in the UK. Its internal combustion engine will be converted to use bio-ethanol fuel. This renewable fuel can be made from all sorts of plant matter ? surplus grain, sugar cane, sugar beet or even straw or wood waste (which may be sourced from Mersey Forest). Because the carbon dioxide released when the fuel is burnt is re-absorbed by the next crop, net emissions can be up to 80% lower than for conventional fuels. You, too, can make a difference. Bio-ethanol and bio-diesel are now being introduced into all road fuels available across the UK. According to Government figures, if all petrol cars in the UK ran even on a 5% bio-ethanol/petrol mix, this would reduce CO2 emissions by one million tonnes each year - equivalent to taking a million cars off the road. Modern flex-fuel vehicles can use E85 fuel (85% bio-ethanol-15% petrol), now starting to appear on the forecourts.

Drivers	Paul Andrews, Bill Meeson
Engine	995cc all aluminium VTEC, 3-cylinder
Battery	144V NiMH
Power	50kW (68hp), 56kw (76hp) with assist
Torque	91Nm @ 4,500 113Nm @1,500 (with assist)
Max speed	112mph
Max Range	~700 miles on 40litre tank
Chassis	Lightweight all aluminium monocoque
Gearbox	Honda Continuously Variable Transmission
Suspension	Front: McPherson strut with aluminium lower wishbone Rear: trailing arms and torsion beams
Brakes 231mm	4-wheel ABS, front aluminium calliper with discs, rear 180mm drums
Total weight	834kg

The Insight powertrain is designed to work in series. The electric motor stores electrical energy generated when the car is braking or running at a constant speed. This is then released into the drive train when maximum performance is required. Bio-ethanol is not only green, it's powerful. With a higher octane rating than 5 star petrol, engines can run at higher compression ratios, and it's non-toxic and biodegradable!

You can read more about the Insight Hybrid Rally Car at www.green-car-guide.com and you can read our press release from the 2006 F1000 Championship.

To find out more about the Insight Rally project, click here to read the Oaktec case study. To find out more about Oaktec's future development plans, read the press release about their new Honda Civic hybrid.