Alternative fuels for BTCC?

[sinclat]

WTCC have annonced that in a few years time they will insist on either diesel or bioethanol fuels for all cars.

Do you think BTCC should go the same way? (or are there plans afoot already that I don't know about)

I'm not just talking about from a eco-friendly point of view, but also to add an extra level to development.

[CharlieJ]

To keep the cars in line with the WTCC regulations, so that cars can switch between series as they are this year, the BTCC will have to go the same way.

Looks like the future is green :D

[sinclat]

But do you see that as a bad thing or a good thing?

[CharlieJ]

SEAT have already shown the potential of diesel in WTCC, and while the MGs may be getting on a bit now, switching to bio-eth seemed to give them an initial boost. As engine technology is moving that way anyway, with more multi-fuel engines, and better diesels, I think it can only be a good thing.

[btccbryn]

anything that saves damage to the enviroment has to be a good thing doesnt it and like you have said as technolgy gets better then i reckon it wouldnt make that much diffrence to the level of raceing.

[redshoes]

To keep the cars in line with the WTCC regulations, so that cars can switch between series as they are this year, the BTCC will have to go the same way.
Not necessarily. S2000 technical regs don't specify a specific fuel type, it's WTCC sporting regs that say that and the BTCC doesn't have to follow those. Same as they don't have to apply the flat bottom / engine spec / weight dispensations that some WTCC teams.

That said a move to bio-fuel does seem likely.

[bringbacktheolddays]

No!!! Globel warming is a load of (not going to say) stick to petrol and diesel.

[jiimmyy]

Volvo Use Bio Fuel in the Swedish series and in the German Procar championship there is a seperate class for diesels.

[btccbryn]

well if other championships are useing diffrent fuels then do you not think we should give it go ?

[sinclat]

No!!! Globel warming is a load of (not going to say) stick to petrol and diesel.

Let's not start on that chestnut. Don't you think the fact that it's an engineering challenge makes it worth it?

[Robbo]

yeah but if everyone changes to Bio fuel you have the posibility of everyone having to retire from the race cos its so unreliable.

[btccbryn]

ow no thats a good point ?

[dannybo]

well if other championships are useing diffrent fuels then do you not think we should give it go ?
We already are.

[btccbryn]

all of the cars i mean danny you cant really have a fare competion if you dont have every car using the same fuel

[CharlieJ]

yeah but if everyone changes to Bio fuel you have the posibility of everyone having to retire from the race cos its so unreliable.
Reliability has nothing to do with using bio-fuel - look at the alfas. The Kartworld cars are only unreliable because of their age.


all of the cars i mean danny you cant really have a fare competion if you dont have every car using the same fuel.
If you follow that argument through, all the cars would have to have the same engines too.

Since the series is based on road cars, I think it should follow developments for road cars, and that means alternative fuels and improved diesels.

[VkmSpouge]

yeah but if everyone changes to Bio fuel you have the posibility of everyone having to retire from the race cos its so unreliable.

How did you get that impression?

In 2005 Leggate only retired in a single race.

In 2006 Jason Hughes suffered only a marginal drop in finishes when he switched to bio-ethanol but Richard Marsh actually gained reliability when he switched to green fuel for the final round.

So I don't think bio-ethanol would make any difference what so ever to reliability as there are far bigger factors like team budget, preparation and what the car is.

[sinclat]

I agree VkmSpouge (great name by the way), If some of the bigger marques take up the 'green' option then surely engine development will skyrocket.

[ted]

its a shame road cars cant run on water instead of petrol, could save some dosh! the btcc should go green to set a example for support races

[dannybo]

I think the only time you will find more than one or two teams using bio-ethanol or other greener fuels, is when manufacturers make it available to the masses. Obviously diesel is the acception to this rule. Car makers need to get they're heads together on this, as the only reason Autogas didnt take off in a big way was because of a lack of availability.
I noticed no performance loss at all in a mondeo fitted with duel-fuel, in fact it was probably a bit pokier. The only draw-back was, it was a bit of a bind finding somewhere to fill it up. You needed twice as much fuel to do the same miles as petrol & it was a bit smelly, but apart from that it was pretty good at 30p a litre.

[sinclat]

Hey Dannybo, I've just seen the times of your postings... What gives? Don't you sleep man?

[dannybo]

Hey Dannybo, I've just seen the times of your postings... What gives? Don't you sleep man?
Hehe, im a bit of a night owl. Get more done at night, its quieter.

[btccbryn]

like you have said danny its were you can buy it from it was the same couple of years ago when some people were getting gas conversions you still dont see hardly any garages that sell it i think other fuels will eventually work there way into the btcc but at the moment it i would imagine the team bosses have got better things to worry about.