Photo: WTCC Media

WTCC introduces 10% bio ethanol

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The FIA World Touring Car Championship will run on 10% bio ethanol during the 2009 season. The fuel is supplied by PANTA, appointed by the FIA.
“We are pleased, because they did not encounter technical problems,” said Luca Perani of PANTA Racing.

The fuel consists of 10% bio ethanol and 90% of unleaded fuel, called E10. The diesel engines will run on 10% vegetable bio diesel, produced from rape oil.

“The E10 choice was dictated by the need to find a compromise between the aims of reducing the emissions and preserving the existing cars. Bio-fuels are far more aggressive with tanks, pipes and injectors, that need to be changed when their percentage is increased; with the E10 the current cars don’t need any changes,” Perani explained.

During a full WTCC season a total of 60 to 70 000 liter of fuel is consumed.

“Ethanol contains oxygen, which helps regular petrol to burn more cleanly and completely. The use of E10 bio-fuel reduces petroleum use by 6.3 per cent and also reduces harmful emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, exhaust volatile organic compounds and ozone-forming pollutants,” concluded Perani.