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Barwell biofuelled success

1st October 2007 (Source: EEMS )

The Avon Tyres British GT championship reached an exciting conclusion on the weekend of 29/30 September 2007 with the Barwell Motorsport biofuelled Aston Martin DBRS9 in the hunt right up to the last race. Barwell had already secured the team title in earlier rounds, but the individual drivers championship was a much closer affair. Going into the weekend, any of seven drivers could win, with the biofuelled car drivers, Paul Drayson and Jonathan Cocker, just one point behind the leaders, Barwell team mates Guy Harrington and Ben de Zille Butler. In two thrilling races over the weekend, it was not to be for the biofuelled Aston Martin as the Team RPM Dodge Viper Coupe found the Rockingham circuit more to their liking, taking victories in rounds 13 and 14 and pushing the Cocker/Drayson Aston into second in the championship by just six points.

Watching the final races, Alan Mercer, EEMS Programme Manager, said, "We are absolutely delighted with what Barwell has achieved and the success they have had in raising the profile of biofuel in motorsport. The whole team has done an amazing job. Through their skill and their professional approach, they have kept this car at the front, brought it home to two wins in the season and delivered 100% reliability. All of this whilst being the first GT running throughout the season on E85, a bioethanol fuel from sustainable sources. The drivers and the team have clearly demonstrated what can be achieved, I think they have shown that we can reduce the carbon footprint of motorsport without impacting on the speed, thrills and excitement."

Mark Lemmer, Barwell Motorsport Team manager, was equally pleased with the success of the season. "The performance of the biofuelled car has amply demonstrated that there is no performance disadvantage against an identical petrol car. This car has made a major contribution to us winning the 2007 British GT Team Championship crown."

It is also clear that the success of Barwell throughout the season has encouraged them that the future lies with alternative fuels from sustainable sources and the move to a more energy efficient motorsport. Paul Drayson was the driving force behind the switch to bioethanol and he and Barwell have the dream of taking a green biofuel powered GT car to compete in the world's most famous race, the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance classic. Who knows, Paul's dreams have a habit of coming true...

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