AgWired

Today’s running of car #91, Hemelgarn Racing, around the Indianapolis Speedway was the subject of a Talking News Release for the Ethanol Promotion & Information Council. The release was distributed as soon after the car made its historic laps as possible to radio reporters nationwide. The release was structured a little differently than normal. It contains links to 5 full interviews that reporters (or you) can download and listen to and use on the air. Additionally, there’s links to photos that can also be easily downloaded for media use (or yours). It’s a very complete media package. Maybe next time we’ll include video!

Jimmy Kite drove the car today instead of the injured Paul Dana. However, I was able to interview Paul and his interview is one of the ones available through the links within the release.

ETHANOL-POWERED INDYCAR SERIES CAR MAKES HISTORY
DURING MILLER LITE CARB DAY ACTIVITIES

The IndyCar Series has announced that it will switch to ethanol as its fuel source beginning with a 10% blend in 2006 and moving to 100% fuel-grade Ethanol in 2007. full release (Word doc)

For more information contact Joanna Schroeder.

I tried to take a picture like this today from trackside but I wasn’t prepared and you need to practice. In one photo I got the front tires, another the rear tires and in a couple I got zipidy-do-da. When the car’s moving at 220 mph and you’re standing still it just isn’t easy. Thanks to IMS Photo for the picture!

A picture paints a thousand words but sound adds to the effect! You can hear what this vehicle sounds like in action here:

The organization that put together the media event today at the Indianapolis Speedway that featured Team Ethanol’s #91 car making laps fueled by a 50-50 ethanol/methanol blend is the Ethanol Promotion & Information Council (EPIC). EPIC is headed by executive director, Tom Slunecka. Tom works with great folks like Joanna Schroeder, at the Integer Group, who help coordinate all the details. Besides the media invitation and registration work, there’s a bunch of detail work with the track itself and the Indy Racing League. While the car was making laps today the track announcer was describing the car and talking about all the benefits of ethanol for the crowd that was already here.

I interviewed Tom about EPIC and today’s promotion which you can listen to here:

An ethanol car has made laps around the Indianapolis 500 Speedway today for the first time since 1911. The #91 Hemelgarn Racing ethanol car, driven by Jimmy Kite, did 10 laps.

You can listen to my interview with Ron Hemelgarn, owner of Hemelgarn Racing, here:

I was trackside with Ron right after the ethanol car finished its laps. I didn’t get my picture taken with Ron, but with him left to right are, Tom Slunecka, Executive Director for the Ethanol Promotion & Information Council (EPIC) and Ron Lamberty, Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE).