Latest Press Releases
Archive

4^th June 2004 (Source: The MIA )

The Motorsport Development Board (MDB)* has signalled its support of the Energy Efficient Motorsport (EEMS) project by allocating £145,000 to support three existing race teams using alternative fuels, and to promote the EEMS concept to the UK motorsport industry.

Taurus Sports (Lola LMP Diesel), Team Nasamax (LMP Bio-ethanol) and Mardi Gras Motorsport (BTCC Liquid Petroleum Gas) will be the beneficiaries of both promotional and financial support. Taurus Sports and Team Nasamax will compete in the LMP class of the 2004 Le Mans 24 Hours race, whilst Mardi Gras Motorsport will shortly re-launch its 2004 BTCC campaign with a newly converted Peugeot chassis built to full BTCC specification.

George Lendrum, Managing Director of Pi Research and the responsible MDB member for EEMS explained, "We decided to focus our support on a small number of teams that had already committed to the EEMS concept and were competing at an international level. At this stage we want to promote and expand the EEMS concept, and supporting speculative start-ups was not seen as an effective use of the funds we have. The EEMS Project Team will work with the teams we are supporting to promote their race and development programs, and in return the teams will help us to demonstrate the reality of EEMS and how it can benefit the whole of the UK motorsport industry."

As an example, the EEMS project team will work with Mardi Gras Motorsport to develop a new, lightweight fuel tank suitable for LPG. Once manufactured, the tank will become available to any other teams that may wish to use it. At the same meeting the MDB also agreed to fund a study into an alternative form of engine regulations that will actively encourage engine builders to develop energy efficient technology.

"We have some ideas how to create engine regulations that will encourage fuel efficiency, without detracting from the spectacle of motorsport," said Lendrum. "We have engaged a respected engine specialist to develop the ideas and report to us if they are technically feasible. As a bonus it seems that if we are able to turn our ideas into reality they will also simplify the issue of equivalence between different fuels and engine configurations. We believe this is fundamental to the success of EEMS and the future health of our industry."

One of the key objectives of the MDB EEMS project is to promote to the automotive industry the benefits of motorsport as a vital tool in proving new technology. By placing energy efficiency at the heart of the technical regulations, and allowing teams using different fuels to compete on an equal footing, the project team believe that this challenge can be met.

-Ends-

Note to editors: *

The Motorsport Development Board is the body set up by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to allocate £16 million of Government funding for the development of the UK's motorsport sector over the next five years.

For further details on EEMS, please contact Pim van Baarsen at the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA): Tel: Fax: E-mail:

Back to latest press releases