Southern California motorsports will take a giant leap into the future with the debut of the Green Power Prix-View (TM) and an expanded Lifestyle and Alternative Energy Expo.
Green Power Prix-View will feature extensive, weekend-long displays of alternative energy vehicles and on-circuit activities featuring vehicles ranging from hydrogen-powered cars to robotic vehicles.
And, all weekend long, the newly expanded Lifestyle and Alternative Energy Expo will highlight renewable energy sources, water and energy conservation, green building and healthy lifestyles - for inside and outside the home - in the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center.
The exhibit portion of the Green Power Prix-View will cover at least 30,000 square feet of Convention Center space within the Lifestyle Expo. In addition, current plans call for an alternative energy vehicle ride/drive program to be held Sunday, April 20 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in the ALMS garage area, located between turns 9 and 10 on the eastern side of the 1.97-mile street circuit. Other ongoing Green inititatives in and around the Grand Prix:
- The Long Beach Convention Center, location of the Grand Prix weekend’s Lifestyle and Alternative Energy Expo, generates more than 725 kilowatts of power each day from solar panels on its roof….more than 25% of the building’s daily energy requirements.
- The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy and SAE International to incorporate “green racing” into its 2008 season…the first motorsports group to meet the criteria for green racing being developed by these three groups. Featuring exotic prototypes and production-based sports cars competing in 4 categories, all cars in the series compete on alternative fuels.
- Corvette Racing will be powered by cellulosic E85 Ethanol (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), a high-octane, renewable alternative fuel made from waste wood and switchgrass, in the 2008 American Le Mans Series (ALMS), part of the series’ “green racing” initiative. The series will be a highlight on Saturday at the 34th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 18-20. Corvette Racing won its 7th consecutive GT1 manufacturers and team championship in 2007.
- Drivers Dindo Capello and Allan McNish dominated the 2007 ALMS LMP1 Class – including a class win on the street of Long Beach -- driving their biodiesel-powered Audi R10. The fuel is typically a synthetic derivative of oils found in various plant life.
- Many thousands of race fans take advantage of Metrolink and the Metro Blue Line, which both provide fast, convenient service right to the gates of the Grand Prix from virtually anywhere in Southern California.
- Specialized bins around the track will collect recyclable materials such as aluminum cans, plastic and cardboard.
- In conjunction with Safety-Kleen, the Grand Prix recycles oil and petroleum waste from the race cars.
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