E85 permitted but not promoted
The Danish Touringcar Championship has today announced the possibility to use the environmentally friendly fuel E85, bio ethanol. The decision was made after DASU, the Danish Motorsport Authority, made it possible to use the 99 octane fuel on the Danish tracks.
While now possible, the DTC promoter has decided not to promote the environmental aspect of the fuel. Any car or team using the E85, consisting of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, will receive a 15 kilo weight penalty.
“From the view of the DTC promoters, we would have liked to make it possible to race with this more environmental friendly fuel,“ DTC technical manager Peter Rasmussen explains.
“However we would not make it compulsory, as it comes with several demands in terms of changes in the engine management and fuel system.”
”We are aware, from several of the other classes already using the E85, that it typical increase the power output with up to 3 – 5 percent, and also results in a higher level of torque. And obviously we have no interest in creating a situation, where the teams are forced to use biofuel. So it is compulsory, that cars using the E85 fuel must have a 15 kilo weight increase.”
The DTC will start out the 2009 season in the upcoming weekend, where FDM Jyllandsringen will form the scene of the first spring test. The test sessions will be run four times on Saturday and three times on Sunday.
