Written by:
Marshall Pruett
01/14/2008
Detroit, Michigan
"Racing is an integral part of Corvette's history and heritage, and Corvette Racing's
unprecedented success in the American Le Mans Series has reinforced Corvette's standing as a performance icon that is recognized around the world. Since its inception, Corvette has been a platform for Chevrolet and GM to introduce and develop new technology. The use of E85 ethanol fuel by America's premier production sports car racing team in a high-profile, high-tech racing series like the American Le Mans Series shows that Chevy is continuing to lead by example. By showcasing the capabilities of E85 ethanol before an audience of knowledgeable and technically astute race fans, we can demonstrate the benefits of a renewable fuel that helps to reduce dependence on petroleum, helps to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and helps to create greater diversity in energy supplies."
-Ed Peper
General Manager Chevrolet, GENERAL MOTORS
"Honda and Acura have always competed in racing for the primary purposes of developing our people and advancing the technology of the sport. The diverse technology platform embraced by the American Le Mans Series was what led us to launch our inaugural Series effort in 2007. Honda has long enjoyed a reputation in the marketplace as an environmentally conscious company and, under its Acura brand, is fully supportive of and enthused about the Green Racing Challenge."
-John Mendel
Senior Vice President, AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
"Since its inception, Porsche has strived to improve fuel efficiency as a major part of the overall performance of its sports and race cars. Achieving better fuel economy in its production vehicles, most recently evidenced by the incorporation of direct fuel injection for the 2008 Cayenne and the ULEV-certified engine with VarioCam Plus in the 2008 Boxster, is as important to us as is the optimum fuel efficiency of our RS Spyder. Running on E10 fuel both on and off the race track has been a logical step for Porsche, and we are committed to continue to invest considerable resources in the search for alternative fuels. We applaud the leadership of the American Le Mans Series for its Green Racing Challenge, which has the potential to add a most timely and forward-looking environmental component to the industry's race for optimum performance."
-Peter Schwarzenbauer
President & CEO, PORSCHE CARS, NORTH AMERICA
"We applaud the American Le Mans Series for this latest green initiative. It is this type of innovative thinking that attracted Mazda to the Series as we seek to challenge our engineers to push the boundaries of what is possible. This program is an ideal complement to the Mazda 'Sustainable Zoom-Zoom' plan announced last year. The Mazda goal is to develop vehicles that address our shared global climate and energy concerns while still being exciting from a driver's perspective. The ability to showcase some of that technology in a series like the American Le Mans Series is a fantastic opportunity."
-Robert Davis
Senior VP Marketing & Product Development
MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
"Penske Racing decided to compete in the American Le Mans Series not only because we saw its growth and potential as a racing series, but because it clearly was not afraid to forge into areas such as alternative fuels and other technologies. Innovations like alternative fuels are at the forefront of the racing industry and they can also help reshape the entire automotive landscape. Finding economic and ecologically-sound alternatives to fuels is critical to all of us in the racing and automotive industries. We applaud the Series for its ability to gain support from these pivotal government agencies. Penske Racing looks forward to participating in the Green Racing Challenge this year at Petit Le Mans."
-Roger Penske
Team Owner, PENSKE RACING
