While ethanol-based biofuels are not yet used in New Zealand motorsport, Toyota has taken the initiative to develop local racing series that has adopted the use of such fuel. And, this racing series is a world first in its use of environmentally ethical fuel production.
With the aid of Motorsport New Zealand’s willingness in modifying regulations that will govern permissible rules in the championships, Toyota Racing Series (TRS) was able to make use of the adoption of an E85 ethanol (85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent 95 octane petrol) fuel blend.
The initiative has been followed by months of laboratory and dynamometer testing along with engine performance tuning and a comprehensive re-development of the TRS cars. Those cars were equipped with new fuel system components that enable the cars to use a biofuel.
Though the biofuel initiative is specific to motorsport, it offers a test case for high percentage biofuel use under extreme conditions. The test has proven the fuel’s capacity to consistently burn cooler than petrol as well as deliver lesser emissions. There was even noticeably power and torque improvement after the engine has been re-tuned for the new fuel.
The TRS, New Zealand’s premier open-wheel “wings and slicks” race category, used an Italian-built carbon-composite race chassis. It has been fitted to production Toyota four-cylinder engines that were specifically developed for motorsport.
According to Toyota spokesman John Fowke, “We take this responsibility very seriously and see the Toyota Racing Series’ commitment to the E85 ethanol fuel blend as an opportunity to develop and refine innovative biofuel technology in the toughest possible environment.”
TRS manager Barrie Thomlinson pointed out that the off season was used in comprehensively testing and proving the fuel’s suitability for competition. He said, “We are confident about the fuel’s compatibility with racing uses and we are looking forward to the data that we can provide about the use of high percentage fuel blends.” “This is a perfect example of motorsport helping the automotive world to produce cleaner, smarter road cars and giving global brands like Toyota tools that help to actively manage their carbon profile,” he added.
There are concerns involving the trend towards diversion of arable land from food crops to growing new fuel crops. So, Toyota has defended that the ethanol used in the TRS E85 blend is derived from a by-product of the dairy industry and not from grain or root vegetables.
This year, there will be eight rounds where the TRS competitors will contest. The greatest among them is considerably the 35-lap New Zealand Grand Prix, which will be held at Manfeild near Palmerston North.
Globally, Toyota is known as leader in the development and production of innovative low-emission, fuel-efficient hybrid-powered vehicles that are competitive enough to those with premium Honda engine parts. And, that is definitely something to be proud of Toyota. They got the quality that keeps them on top.