Junior WRC Championship switching to gasoline-ethanol-methanol blend
22 May 2013
The Junior WRC Championship is supporting the FIA’s drive to make motorsport more sustainable by switching from gasoline to biofuel. From the Acropolis Rally of Greece onwards, the Ford Fiesta R2s used in the series will be powered by GEM Fuel, a ternary blend fuel containing regular gasoline, bio-ethanol and bio-methanol (i.e., GEM).
The development of GEM Fuel is the result of a partnership between BioMCN, Abengoa, Methanex, Eurol and the Methanol Institute initiated and managed by GUTTS, the world’s first supplier of sustainable race fuels.
The benefits in engine performance, when applied correctly, are caused by two characteristics: GEM Fuel has a high octane number and anti-knock characteristic that makes it possible to run higher engine compression. Secondly, the high percentage of alcohol has a cooling effect on both intake and exhaust, which means a cooler and denser intake and cylinder charge. Both these characteristics means a higher power output at cooler temperatures.
The FIA claims the new fuel reduces greenhouse gases by more than 50% compared to regular gasoline.
M-Sport, which supplies the Fiestas to the championship, was involved in an evaluation of the fuel in 2012, when an extensive dyno test comparing the performance and consumption of three fuels—including GEM Fuel—was performed at its Cumbrian base.
The Rally of Greece, round two of the Junior WRC Championship, gets underway on Friday 31 May.
The mix ratios for GEM fuel are
methanol - 42%
gasoline - 37%
ethanol - 21%
It is mixed for performance in racing, something most of us don't do. For the rest of us that makes it less green than E85, M85 or B100.
Posted by: ai_vin | 22 May 2013 at 10:03 AM