Ethanol and the American Le Mans Series Fact Sheet

"By showcasing the capabilities of E85 ethanol before an audience of knowledgeable and technically astute racing 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

With a commitment to greener fuels, the American Le Mans Series has introduced cellulosic E85 racing ethanol as an official fuel for the 2008 season. E85 is a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline and cellulosic ethanol is produced from biomass such as wood waste, switchgrass or citrus. KL Process Design Group's ethanol facility located near Upton, Wyo. will be providing the cellulosic ethanol for the league. This is the first time that a motorsports league has sanctioned "America's Flex-Fuel," a high-performance, environmentally friendly, renewable fuel.

Through the technical and marketing partnership with ethanol, the series is helping spread awareness of ethanol in one of the most demanding environments in racing. This is the second year that ethanol-enriched fuel has powered race cars in an endurance racing format. Consumers can also experience the same benefits as American Le Mans Series' drivers by using ethanol-enriched fuel.

FACT: This year, Intersport Racing (LMP1), Corvette Racing (GT1) and Drayson-Barwell Motorsport (GT2) teams will run on cellulosic E85 racing ethanol.

Here are some interesting facts regarding ethanol and the American Le Man Series:

• In its 10th season, the American Le Mans Series is the fastest growing brand of motorsports in the world, featuring cutting-edge sports cars from the most prestigious global automobile manufacturers: Acura, Audi, Corvette, Ferrari, Mazda, Panoz, and Porsche. With the exception of the Audi diesel, all cars in the American Le Mans Series have the option to use E10 ethanol-enriched gasoline or E85.
• With an octane rating of 105, E85 is the highest performing fuel on the road today. It has the highest oxygen content of any fuel available, allowing it to burn cleaner than conventional gasoline.
• The use of E85 results in a nearly 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
• In the 2007 season, the American Le Mans Series chose E10 as "its official ethanol-enriched fuel" of the series. But this fuel is not exclusive to the race track. E10 is a blend of 90 percent gasoline and 10 percent ethanol and is widely available at many gas stations across the country. In addition, E85 is available at more than 1,700 stations, from coast to coast, with more stations opening every day. Today, more than 7 million flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) are on the road.

Consumers can also benefit from using ethanol-enriched fuel:

• All cars manufactured after 1980 can use up to a 10 percent ethanol‐blend, from Porsches and Ferraris to SUVs, minivans and sedans.
• Flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) can use E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline. There are more than 7 million FFVs on America's roads today. There are more than 1,700 E85 stations across the country.
• Ethanol-enriched fuel is a cleaner burning, renewable fuel that reduces harmful tailpipe emissions and reduces greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.
• Ethanol-enriched fuel reduces pre-ignition problems such as knocking and pinging.
• Ethanol-enriched fuel alleviates starting problems in hot or cold weather.
• Ethanol-enriched fuel can tolerate water contamination to a far greater degree than gasoline alone; it absorbs moisture and helps prevent gasoline freeze-up in cold weather.