AgWired

This was a cool story out here at the Iowa Speedway today.

They’re billing it as America’s first renewable energy chopper that runs on E85. It was unveiled today just before driver introductions by Iowa Farm Bureau. The bike was built in partnership between IFB and Orange County Choppers.

They held a press conference prior to the public introduction so you can hear them talk about it building it and what they think about ethanol. One of the things they like is the cleaner air they have to breathe when cranking it up in the garage. Here’s the audio from the press conference: iowa-corn-07-e85-chopper.mp3

This chopper project is part of an IFB-led movement called “Join the Ride Iowa.” This chopper will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the American Lung Association of Iowa.

The logo for the Iowa Indy Corn 250, presented by Ethanol is very cool. It really looks good on the lawn in between the track and the pits here at Iowa Speedway.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association has been instrumental in making this race a reality here in Newton, IA. One of the corn growers here who’s very excited about what’s taking place is ICGA president-elect, Tim Recker. I interviewed Tim after he and other ICGA leaders unveiled the trophy for this weekend’s race. He says that the Iowa corn growers saw this race as an opportunity to really promote ethanol nationally and especially showcase all the work being done in Iowa to develop this renewable fuel resource. You can listen to my interview with Tim here: iowa-corn-07-recker.mp3

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council is also very involved in the promotion of this race, working very closely with organizations like the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Pioneer Hi-Bred. EPIC’s executive director Tom Slunecka was in the media center this afternoon. Tom was happy. And if Tom’s happy, I’m happy (EPIC is the founding and primary sponsor of our sister site, Domestic Fuel).

I got him to sit down for a minute and talk about how he thinks it’s going. He’s just as excited about this race as all the corn growers I’ve spoken with this week. He says that the work EPIC has been doing to create a brand that consumers are aware of and trust is really paying off and venues like this race as well as all the IRL races have been key to showcasing the performance value of ethanol.

You can listen to my interview with Tom here: iowa-corn-07-slunecka.mp3

The first press conference of the day was the unveiling of the trophy for Sunday’s Iowa Corn Indy 250.

It’s a tall good looking trophy.

The group show here consists of several board members and CEO, Craig Floss, speaking on the left.

Craig made a short statement which you can listen to here: iowa-corn-07-icga-press-conf.mp3

Here’s some of the reasons why the Iowa Corn Growers is involved and supporting this inaugural race:

• Promote renewable fuels

• Iowa is the leader in corn and ethanol production and we are working to be the leader in renewable fuel usage.