Motor racing teams test new fuels

A racing firm is taking a diesel powered car to test at Le Mans

Motorsport has stepped up its search for better fuel efficiency by enlisting the help of three racing teams to test alternative technology.

Mardi Gras Motorsport at Silverstone in Northants will put LPG in its vehicles.

Team Nasamax, Sittingbourne, Kent, will test bio-ethanol and Taurus Sports in Watton, Norfolk, will use diesel at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race.

Under a Motorsport Development Board (MDB) deal worth £140,000 they will provide technical data on performance.

They have also agreed to help market the viability of alternative fuels in mainstream motorsport.

New approach

East Midlands Development Agency spotted the economic potential of motorsports to generate jobs and help business set-ups across the region and decided to support the initiative.

Graham Brown, who works for them, also heads up the Government Motorsport Unit which co-ordinates the work of the industry and has provided further support.

The board says it will support the work on a new approach to engine regulations to allow greater variety of fuels to be used in motorsports.

The group also wants to simplify the measurement of different fuels and engine configurations to allow more equal comparisons to be made.

MDB member George Lendrum said: "These measures will engage legislators in a key area of technological development for motorsport and will inspire further growth in the UK."