MINISTER CHALLENGES MOTORSPORT INDUSTRY TO GO COOL

Cleaner Racing Conference at the NEC, Birmingham­

Cleaner Racing Conference at the NEC, Birmingham­ - Lord Drayson (Minister of State for Science and Innovation, BIS and Minister of State For Strategic Acquisition Reform, MOD) challenged the motorsport industry to produce cooler, green cars.

The Minister stated that failure to meet the climate change criteria of a maximum two degree temperature rise is not an option, and talked of the need to eradicate the scepticism that people have of green cars. “To achieve this we need to be ‘zero carbon’ by 2050. Imagine what Ferraris and Audis will look like then?” He said that he believes the UK motorsport industry has the strength to play a significant role in the necessary changes and that there is an opportunity for diversification and business growth. Lord Drayson urged delegates to get involved with the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), created by the Government, in a bid to take a lead in the future of the automotive industry; also to produce cars that will one day get the approval of Stig from Top Gear and earn a place on the ‘cool wall’.

Motorsport regulatory bodies were targeted too, with Lord Drayson pushing for rulebook changes to get the response from the teams to increase the CO2 commitments of Governments. FIA Deputy President for Sport, Graham Stoker, responded by quoting progress made since the FIA 1992 Rio summit when the issue was first raised. He cited progress with the KERS system, which was part of the conference’s surrounding Engineering Showcase. He acknowledged that there is work to do. “From the FIA’s point of view sustainability is a key agenda item now.”

‘Cool green’ was aptly demonstrated with Lord Drayson unveiling the Anglo-Italian eCRP 1.0 electric sports bike, the next generation eSuperbike from Modena, that will take part in 2010’s TTXGP - the world’s first zero emission race. TTXGP founder Azhar Hussain brought today’s news that a new British squad, Team TTXGP 666, has signed for the 2010 UK series and that the first four wheeled electric race will take place in June 2010 on a two mile Paris street circuit. Azhar Hussain is keen to promote exciting racing, with bikes increasing lap times from an average of 87mph last year to over 100mph, and set to race in 14 races in four counties. “It’s all happening very fast and not only are we converting petrol users but we’ve got teams that would never have entered conventional races. We’re gaining momentum and zero carbon’s happening really fast.”

MIA’s CEO Chris Aylett was ready to pick up Lord Drayson’s challenge. “We’re more than ready to encourage and help the motorsport industry work together with OLEV. There was a rise in MIA membership by 25% last year, which didn’t happen with other organisations. I think this is indicative of an industry that reacts quickly and makes the most of opportunities. There are commercially viable ventures that can contribute significantly to the economy and employment of the industry and the MIA will do everything it can to support this growth.”