Green and global is theme for ALMS

Times wires
Friday, March 18, 2011

The American Le Mans Series opens its season today hoping a "Green Racing" initiative and a full field at its marquee event will lead to the best year yet for the sports car series.

The season begins with today's 12 Hours of Sebring, the 59th running of the endurance classic.

Audi, winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans last season, is back at Sebring after missing the event last year. Part of the draw is the new seven-race Intercontinental Le Mans Cup series, a global schedule that has lured several European teams to Florida.

This race pits the German manufacturer against French rival Peugeot, but Audi acknowledges its car will be slower.

"The rules dictate that we can't be as fast, but that doesn't mean we'll just be going for points," said Alan McNish, a three-time ALMS champion. "Once the race starts, the gloves will come off. Traffic and yellows are going to come into it and could keep it close right to the end."

The ALMS Green Racing initiative offers incentives to teams that use alternative fuels and efficient technology while competing. Winners of the "Green X Challenge" from the LMP and GT classes will be determined at the end of each ALMS race, and season champions will be crowned.

The reward for the season title is substantial: automatic entry into next season's 24 Hours of Le Mans.

ALMS was the first racing series to allow alternative fuels in 2007, and the list of approved fuels expanded to include isobutanol, a blended gasoline with a component derived from renewable resources such as sugar cane, corn and wheat. Isobutanol is the fifth approved fuel option, and Dyson Racing has used it since last season.

Source: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/green-and-global-is-theme-for-alms/1158310

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