The WorldFirst race car is a speedy veggie delight. But how will it fare on the track?
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Future possibilities
Others think the racing industry will change, but the path it will take is uncertain. Chris Aylett, Chief Executive of the Motorsport Industry Association in the UK says there's so many fuel options on the table right now it's hard to pick a clear winner.
"I see many different energy sources being used in the sport over the next decade or more - with no clear 'energy' winners evident as yet. Second generation bio-fuels, including diesel, will certainly be one of the popular choices."
If enough people want sustainable technology in racing then the industry will adapt to meet their needs, he adds. "Commercial motorsport is about entertainment. If the public find entertainment from cars and bikes that are perceived as 'green' then motorsport will respond by creating them for the sponsors or manufacturers involved."
Will green win?
Regardless of the WorldFirst cars' performance in October, the WorldFirst team and others like it have succeeded in bringing sustainable racing technology to the racing industry and the media's attention. 'Racing green' is no longer just a colour; it's a concept, and it's the likely to be the future direction of race series across the globe.
Comments
When will people get smart and figure out that the only sustainable, viable, non-Petroleum-based fuel that makes sense is H?
That's right, Hydrogen. Seawater-derived, electrolysis using Nuclear-powered reverse-Fuel-Cell technology that we already have, compressed and liquified for storage, transport, and distribution nationwide. Until we get Soccer Mom and Dad to the point where they're qualified and capable to handle cryogenic fuels (not likely in OUR lifetimes, but someday), cars, trucks, buses can all be fueled with compressed gaseous Hydrogen, just as many today are powered with compressed Natural Gas, or CNG. Only let's move into the late 20th century and get out of the piston-engine era, shall we? Reciprocating engines are SO 19th century technology, just ask Frank Whittle. The gas turbine engine is much more efficient, look at any helicopter, check out the M1 Abrams MBT - is that enough power for you? And it needn't be that big, either; the Bede BD-5J flew on a turbine barely larger than a Thermos bottle, and the Silver Bullet was fast enough for James Bond! And that was on plain kerosene and no using of any payday loans! Hydrogen is much more efficient a fuel - and no pollution!
I tend to think that big sponsors of Formula One will never be eco friendly.
A world first would be a smartest race, not a fastest.
In time some scientific mind will have the answer that will turn a petrol head into an eco head.