A while back, we weighed the possibilities of LPG and CNG making its way into our lives
as an automotive fuel on a more regular basis. We determined that there
is a niche market for it, but its chances of widespread U.S. use are
highly unlikely. We did, however, mention that it does have a use in
high-performance vehicles, like the Maxximus LNG 2000.
It
looks like the American Le Mans Series is starting to consider this a
possibility, as it attempts to dig itself a niche in racing as a “green”
automotive racing series. According to reports, Patrick Racing Team and
Indy 500 legend, Jim McGee, are working hard toward retrofitting the
430-horsepower ORECA FLM09 American Le Mans racer with a natural gas
injection system.
It is uncertain exactly what type
of natural gas, CNG or LPG, the Patrick Racing Team is targeting right
now, but we would anticipate it being LPG, due to its more widespread
availability. Given the fact that natural gas has an average octane
rating of 130, it makes a perfect racing fuel. The biggest issue is
getting it connected to the existing Chevy engine without losing too
much horsepower or fuel economy.
Also according to
reports, the plans are to have this system in place and homologated in
time for the 2013 ALMS racing season, which will kick off in March next
year. That gives Patrick Racing just under a year to get this system in
place, tested, and certified for racing. If this takes off, it could
ultimately alter the path that automotive propulsion is taking now – a
lean more toward the electric side – and skew it back toward the natural
gas/hydrogen direction.
Granted, CNG, LPG, and
hydrogen will not overtake electricity in hybrids on the grand stage,
but it could bring about a slight shift toward these alternative fuels.
We’ll keep a close eye on this project and let you know how it’s going.
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