Indy to Run on Brazilian Ethanol
Posted: November 21, 2008
The Iowa Corn Indy 250 may someday be running on Brazilian sugarcane ethanol instead of Midwest corn ethanol.
Under a multi-year deal signed earlier this week, Brazilian Ethanol will supply the 23 races of the 2009 Indy racing season.
This is not sitting well with the domestic ethanol industry, which was largely responsible for the IRL switch to 100 percent ethanol two years ago. The Renewable Fuels Association is urging the league to reconsider the decision, imploring the IRL to “at least ensure that the Indianapolis 500 be run on American homegrown ethanol.”
An exception has reportedly been made for the Iowa Corn Indy 250 to run on homegrown corn ethanol, and Brazil is also expected to partner – at least initially – with a U.S.-based ethanol company to supply the IndyCar Series with corn-based ethanol.
