[simple simon]

WASHINGTON -- One of NASCAR's top sponsors plans to file a formal petition asking that it join other racing series with a switch to ethanol to power its vehicles.


The recommendation by General Motors Corp., planned for later this year, comes just as NASCAR adjusts to a recent change to unleaded gasoline, decades behind the commercial marketplace.


GM sponsors 22 Nextel Cup cars under its Chevrolet nameplate, about half the field of any given race. It has been promoting more environmentally friendly fuel for months, but now it plans to move forward with an official presentation to NASCAR ownership.


"We do have the technical know-how," said Brent Dewar, vice president of GM North America sales, service and marketing. "It's something we would have to work in conjunction with NASCAR on. NASCAR would have to encourage other manufacturers to do it as well."


NASCAR spokesman Andrew Giangola said it is always open to new ideas, but withheld judgment on GM's plan.
"
Until they come to us with a proposal and some ideas, it would be premature to comment," he said.


The issue is emerging for NASCAR as others in the racing industry embrace the emissions benefits of alternative fuels without sacrificing performance.

That's Racin' | 05/05/2007 | GM to urge ethanol use in NASCAR

[simple simon]

i think this could be a huge boon for NASCAR with the enviromental crowd but i dont think they would ever make the switch

[LSC9901]

I'd have to believe that the average NASCAR fan doesn't care what they use in the car. They just want to see a race. If you can make that car go 180 MPH's on Cranberry juice ... then go for it.

[wingkey1]

Leaves me wondering what's "in it" for GM. Got this feeling there is much more to this than meets the eye.

Hmmmm

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I'd have to believe that the average NASCAR fan doesn't care what they use in the car. They just want to see a race. If you can make that car go 180 MPH's on Cranberry juice ... then go for it.

I'm with you, Steve. People see sporting events, movies, etc., etc., as diversions to take their minds off the normal crap going on all around them. They could care less what powers the cars, just as long as they sound like race cars and go fast.

A suggestion: In your polls, such as the one above, how about an alternate answer of: "Don't Care," or "Don't Know."

[LSC9901]

Ask and ye shall receive ........

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Ask and ye shall receive ........

I thought that it was a plausible idea... <g>

[simple simon]

i voted that i dont care but now that i think about it i think i do

isnt ethanol what they use in open wheel cars ? ....... the problem with it is that it burns clear ..... meaning if a crew member catches on fire from it you wont see it

[Souporscotty]

Originally Posted by simple simon

isnt ethanol what they use in open wheel cars ? ....... the problem with it is that it burns clear ..... meaning if a crew member catches on fire from it you wont see it

I've seen that happen. Years ago. I would like to think that there's some sort of additive that will make it visual. Sorta like adding odor to natural gas. But as a resident of a corn-growing state: Ethanol is the way to go.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by simple simon

i voted that i dont care but now that i think about it i think i do

isnt ethanol what they use in open wheel cars ? ....... the problem with it is that it burns clear ..... meaning if a crew member catches on fire from it you wont see it

IRL went to 100% ethanol this year Simon. I'm not sure if any other series uses it.

I believe that ethanol might burn with a bluer flame than does lead-free gas, but I believe that it is visible. You may be thinking of the old alcohol they used to run in open-wheel. That burned very hot and was almost invisible.

Ethanol would be good on a couple of levels for NASCAR but there are some drawbacks, from what I read.

(a) It;s more expensive, with current refining facilities, and unless the government subsidizes the refiners (read: yours and my tax money) it'll be even more expensive than current gas prices.
(b) As long as our current farms can supply enough product for conversion, we'll be OK. However, the profits in ethanol are so potentially high that, in Brazil where it is widely used, they claim to be losing 1000 acres of rain forest each week to people converting the land to farms.

My feeling is that, at the present, we have a fuel system which isn't broke, so why try and fix it?

[SteelPhoenyx]

I think it would be great if NASCAR went to ethanol. It would hopefully flow over to consumer based vehicles that much faster.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by SteelPhoenyx

I think it would be great if NASCAR went to ethanol. It would hopefully flow over to consumer based vehicles that much faster.

I propose NA$CAR go to hybrids. What better way to show their commitment to the environment and to put a stamp of approval on a section of the auto industry with seriously lagging sales?

[MJHMarc]

I'm glad that they are going green, now.

[Mike24]

As Bob said, why should we try to fix something that is already fixed?

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

(a) It;s more expensive, with current refining facilities, and unless the government subsidizes the refiners (read: yours and my tax money) it'll be even more expensive than current gas prices.

oddly enough i just saw a piece on ESPN about ethanol vehicles

according to them ...... the ethanol (85% ethanol...15% gas) cost the same as regular gas ...... except when the gas prices spike the ethanol prices stay level

(b) As long as our current farms can supply enough product for conversion, we'll be OK. However, the profits in ethanol are so potentially high that, in Brazil where it is widely used, they claim to be losing 1000 acres of rain forest each week to people converting the land to farms.

they said on the ESPN piece brewers like Miller make many many thousands of gallons each year of ethanol from beer waste ..... that could be a place to get it to run cars ...... and a huge way for the beer companies to make an extra buck ..... and i bet it could help keep the costs down "if you dont lower the price on your beer-gas then we wont drink your beer"