In order to permit an acceptable time for all competitors to assess this new fuel any competitor that wishes to utilize this fuel will be required to add 30 kg to their assigned minimum weight. This additional weight will be required until 19 May 2010 at which time competitors may remove Dyson Racing will run its Mazda-powered Lola B09/86 LMP2 coupe on the fuel for the full 2010 season. Dyson trialed a biobutanol blend in 2009. (Earlier post.)

The experiment by BP, MAZDASPEED and Dyson Racing to compete at the end of 2009 with isobutanol was an unqualified success on a number of levels. It also serves as another example of our participating manufacturers, teams and partners working hand-in-hand with the American Le Mans Series to develop, produce and display tomorrow’s automotive advancements and innovations in today’s motorsports environment.

—Scott Atherton, series president and CEO

The isobutanol fuel component is of particular interest to BP and its development partner DuPont who, through their Butamax Advanced Biofuels joint venture, are developing commercial facilities to manufacture isobutanol for mainstream use. Though numerous biofuel options exist, BP is focusing on isobutanol, which offers high octane and greater energy density than other biofuel options. BP has partnered with Mazda to develop a viable bio race fuel for the Mazda-powered entry in the 2010 season.

The smaller turbo-charged engines of the American Le Mans Series offer a valuable test-bed for evaluating fuels that can offer the best performance, and Mazda brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help us develop the best fuels. BP sees this as a great opportunity to test and learn about the performance and capability of these advanced fuels and their respective components like isobutanol and ethanol.

—Tim Hayes, vice president, strategic accounts for BP

This effort is based on extensive research by BP and the Mazda team which together ran the fuel in the final two races of 2009 as a demonstration program.