Planet Green Drops by Indianapolis 500 Race
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 05.27.08
Planet Green Goes to the Big Race
Two days ago, on May 25, the 92nd Indianapolis 500 Race took place. With a capacity of 400,000, it is the largest single-day sporting event in the world. In partnership with the Indy Series organizers, the Planet Green TV crew was present and shot footage for an episode of The "G" Word, a show that will air on the Planet Green network after it launches on June 4th. But the Planet Green crew wasn't just passive observers; they spent all day giving green tips to the hordes of racing fans and stuck around until the next day to provide volunteers for the massive clean up and make sure it was done using best practices, recycling everything that is recyclable, etc.
Motor Racing's Not Green, Right?
Of course, motor racing isn't green. But here's how we see it: The Indy 500 event would have happened whether we liked it or not, as will many other events. It is better to use them as an opportunity to reach people, give them information, and get them to improve than to stay home and complain. After all, if you look at the number of race cars on the track and the number of cars used by the public, it becomes clear that they should be the main green focus.
We think the Indy 500 would be even better with electric cars, though. Less noise and better acceleration (if a $100,00 Tesla can do 0 to 60 in about 4 seconds, imagine was a racing car worth a few millions could do)!
A Greener Indianapolis 500
::Root For Your Team While Going Green!
::Planet Green and IndyCar Series Go Green for the 92nd Indianapolis 500
Indycars run on ethanol, which may be out of favor around here, but is still certainly greener than gasoline.
Indy cars have also been using garbage as fuel since 2006, which is the best out of ethanol and electric, because it is "cutting down on fire hazards and easier to handle than gasoline since it is water-soluble." an article from Compu.Kiss
Hey treehuggers The Indy 500 race switched to ethanol last year So this race was ran on a more renewable fuel this year. It would be nice to know how many MPG the folks got running this race this year.
But it still drew the worst gas guzzlers around, there was one death related to the event outside the speedway One man died due to CO poisoning in his RV.
Theory behind the death was someone else's generator 3 to 5 feet away may have poisoned him.
Folks until it is determined to be the cause of death please make sure your gen set it well away from others at least 15 feet or more away in an RV, stand alone i suggest 25 feet from the house.
D~W
Indy cars don't rely too much on acceleration. It's more about conservation of momentum, and balancing friction against horsepower. Acceleration is only a real factor when leaving the pits to rejoin the race after fueling and taking on tires.
Indy used to support real innovation, and a turbine car almost won a few times, there have been steam powered entries, etc.
But ultimately, high performance is about efficiency. The announcers did mention how fuel conservation was essential to some teams strategies. And a number of very beneficial innovations have been pioneered and refined in race cars before appearing on passenger cars.
I'd like to see an ultra cap powered car. It would have to pit once every lap or two but it would make for some interesting driving strategies.
"Of course, motor racing isn't green."
It's greener than football, to name one example.
It takes more fuel, and produces more pollution to fly an NFL team from the east coast to the west coast for a game than the entire field of the Indy 500 produces during the entire month of May.
These people don't know much about racing ...
"It's greener than football, to name one example."
GreenER. Not "green". Lots of things are greener than football, that doesn't make them green.
Yawn. Now from the series featuring cars that turn both ways, F1 will begin allowing energy recovery systems in cars beginning in 2009. There is potential to see the first hybrids within a few years.
i really like the idea of making "green" a part of motorsport events. the motorcycle industry is also making attempts at going green, with 4 stroke enine development, etc. On October 11 2008, there is going to be a professional motorcycle race in austin, tx which will have an offset carbon footprint which will account for 2x the total carbon output for the race (including spectators). We hope the race will compliment the indy efforts, and be a part of making "green" cool, or at least something which is attainable by everybody, even motorheads. I think it would be a great idea for discovery communications to become a part of this event, and tie it in with the planet green programming. wouldnt it be cool to have something like "american choppers" that influences people to sit down and actually think about real issues, and take into account things which can be done on a daily basis to improve life on earth?
check out this website to see what the austin tx race is all about: www.armadillosupermoto.com
-dan riley