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“Take a more holistic view of environmental innovation" - Motorsport 100 report
29th November 2007
Motorsport Development UK (MDUK) has commissioned research which indicates that the industry - well known as an innovator of technologies for the whole transport sector - is not just focusing on alternative fuels development, but is approaching energy efficiency and emission reduction in an holistic way.
The research published in Motorsport 100 shows that the UK motorsport industry is a major innovator of environmentally friendly technology, exploring all facets of fuel and performance efficiency (aerodynamics, transmission systems, lower emission fuels, super-lightweight materials, etc), rather than simply concentrating on biofuel take-up. The developing technologies will be of use not only on the race track but will help increase energy efficiency in other sectors, particularly the automotive, aerospace and transport industries.
Bob Gilbert, Chairman of MDUK, comments, "It's clear that motorsport is not only leading the search for alternative, sustainable, low emission fuels, but is looking to reduce consumption, rather than simply channelling it into another source. All our social and economic systems are interdependent, and we are now seeing that the EU may be considering withdrawing biofuel subsidies because production has doubled and is rumoured to be forcing up agricultural commodity prices and the cost of food staples for the ordinary citizen."
Manufacturers are following innovations in British motorsport. For example, Honda saw the success of the Insight Formula 1000 petrol electric hybrid rally car developed by Oaktec, and is now working with the company developing a competition version of their Civic hybrid car. Industry innovations include a biodegradable sports car (Warwick University), hybrid flywheel technology (developed by Flybrid Systems, to be used in an F1 car from 2009), and a hydrogen sports car (Hertfordshire University).
Jon Hilton, Managing Partner of Flybrid Systems, adds, "Taking an all-round view of environmental improvement in the transport industries is very important. For example, according to the European Federation for Transport and Environment, the average weight of new cars increased by 18kg in 2006, continuing a long-term upward trend. Contributing factors are additional crash protection and the power-draining effect of aircon and power steering. All these factors need attention in the R&D cycle to produce vehicles that the public want to buy but are also energy efficient."
(www.motorsport100.co.uk/)
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