Ethanol Powered Indy Car Makes History

Chuck Zimmerman May 27, 2005

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

INDIANAPOLIS, IND., FRIDAY, May 27, 2005 – Jimmy Kite, replacement driver of the No. 91 Ethanol Hemelgarn Racing Dallara/Toyota/Firestone entry in the Indianapolis 500, today made history as he drove an Ethanol-powered IndyCar for the first time in over 50 years during Miller Lite Carb Day Activities at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Kite, who is substituting for injured driver Paul Dana, drove the Ethanol Hemelgarn Racing Dallara fueled with a 50/50 ethanol and methanol blend. During the 10-lap demo, Kite got the car up to speeds over 220 mph. The last time a car competed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway running on ethanol was 1927 with driver Leon Duray.

“It was exciting to be a part of this historic moment in IRL history. It was great that we could show people today that this car can run strong and get up to speed.”

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.

Ag Groups, Audio, Indy Racing

220 MPH Of Ethanol Power

Chuck Zimmerman May 27, 2005

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:

Ag Groups, Audio, Indy Racing

Indy 500 Ethanol Promotion Powered By EPIC

Chuck Zimmerman May 27, 2005

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:

Ag Groups, Audio, Indy Racing

Ethanol-powered Car Cruises Indy Speedway

Chuck Zimmerman May 27, 2005

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).

Ag Groups, Audio, Indy Racing

Ethanol Car Will Roll At Indy

Chuck Zimmerman May 26, 2005

Here’s an end of the day post from Indianapolis. We’re heading out to the track early tomorrow. I understand that there are some restrictions on what we can take pictures of but I’ll find out more when I get there. It’s all in the name of ethanol promotion since Indy cars will be fueled by ethanol by 2007. Tomorrow we’ll get to see car #91 do laps with an ethanol/methanol fuel mix.

I was wondering why Jimmy Kite was going to be driving the Hemelgarn Racing Ethanol Car #91 and found out that it’s because of an injury to the regular driver, Paul Dana. Jimmy is a four time starter at Indianapolis. I’m obviously not a close follower of IndyCar racing but that may change after this weekend! By the way Jimmy qualified at 218.565 MPH which lands him in the last row of cars. However, he’s been there before so we’ll wish him luck.

Ag Groups, Indy Racing

Monsanto Gives Rootworm Advice

Chuck Zimmerman May 26, 2005

Monsanto is encouraging growers to keep an eye out for some pesky critters that can damage their corn. You can read about it and listen to what they have to say in their latest Talking News Release.

You can download the full release here: Monsanto Release (Word doc)

Early Planting May Increase Corn Rootworm Pressure

ST. LOUIS, May 26, 2005 – Growers who took advantage of good weather to plant early this spring may want to be on the lookout for rootworm pressure. Evidence from several recent studies show the earlier corn is planted, the better the survival of rootworm larvae because of more food and less competition among larvae. When corn is planted late, hatching larvae may be forced to compete for limited food from smaller root systems.

John Obermeyer, extension entomologist from Purdue University says earlier planting means a bigger root system which increases the survivability of corn rootworms. “We can also increase not only the survivability but also the damage because we have more surviving rootworm to then feed not only on the smaller roots but eventually they will make their way to the nodal root which is very important for anchoring the plant throughout ear development and stabilizing the plant to keep it there throughout harvest.”

For more information contact Lee Quarles.

Agribusiness, Audio

Lamy New WTO Director General

Chuck Zimmerman May 26, 2005

Since what happens to international ag trade is very important to how companies market their products and services the World Trade Organization (WTO) plays a key role. Well, the leadership just changed there. Are American ag interests happy with the decision?

WTO Members choose Lamy as organization’s 5th Director-General

The 148 members of the World Trade Organization today formally selected Pascal Lamy of France to be the organization’s fifth Director-General. The decision was taken by consensus at the General Council. Mr. Lamy will assume his four year, renewable term on 1 September.

“I congratulate Pascal on his selection as Director-General. His experience in trade matters, his grasp of detail and his proven track record in institutional management ensure that he will be an excellent Director-General. I look forward to working closely with him in the future,” said Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, who will assume 1 September the post of Secretary General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

“I intend to make every effort to move the Doha Development Agenda negotiations as far as possible to ensure that we are well positioned for our Hong Kong Ministerial Conference in December. A solid outcome in our July General Council will give Pascal a very good platform from which to launch the last stage of Ministerial preparations,” Director-General Supachai said.

The General Council decision brings to a close the five month process during which four candidates were nominated by their respective governments. In addition to Mr. Lamy, the candidates were Carlos Perez del Castillo of Uruguay, Jaya Krishna Cuttaree of Mauritius and Luiz Felipe Seixas Correa of Brazil.

Visit here for the full release.

Uncategorized

Kite To Drive Ethanol Car Friday

Chuck Zimmerman May 26, 2005

I’ll be leaving today for Indianapolis! It’s off to the races. As a start to the news I’ll bring you, here’s the latest from the Ethanol Promotion & Information Council:

Kite to drive ethanol-powered IndyCar Series car during Miller Lite Carb Day Activities

Ethanol Hemelgarn Racing driver Jimmy Kite will drive an ethanol-powered IRL IndyCar® Series machine during Miller Lite Carb Day Activities on May 27.
Kite, who will make his fifth Indianapolis 500 start on May 29, will drive a Dallara which will be fueled with an ethanol/methanol blend beginning at 10:40 a.m. It will be the first-time an IndyCar Series car has run demonstration laps since the IndyCar Series partnered with the Ethanol industry to become the fuel supplier beginning with the 2006 season.
Ethanol is an alcohol derived primarily from grain. As a clean-burning and renewable fuel that is non-toxic and 100 percent biodegradable, it reduces harmful air pollution and improves racing’s environmental footprint. Its high octane rating delivers strong engine performance by helping engines resist detonation so they can run higher compression ratios.

I’ll be there and hope to bring you pictures and sound so stay tuned.

Ag Groups, Indy Racing

Global Animal Management Sends Talking News Release

Chuck Zimmerman May 26, 2005

ZimmComm’s newest Talking News Release client is Global Animal Management (Schering-Plough) and their agency, Morgan & Myers. Here’s the latest news on a proposed mandatory animal ID system.

You can download the complete release here: Global Animal Management Release (Word Doc)

PROPOSED MANDATORY ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM
HAS FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS

-Industry leaders say data may help make U.S. livestock producers more competitive globally-

KENILWORTH, N.J. May 26, 2005 – The proposed mandatory National Animal Identification System (NAIS), recently unveiled by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns, provides an opportunity for U.S. livestock producers to become more competitive globally.
Jim Heinle (Hine-lee), president of Global Animal Management, Inc., says that by tracking animal movements, the proposed system would allow officials to quickly identify potentially infected animals in case of a major disease outbreak.
“I think the national animal ID system is the right activity at the right time, and I think it will help further people’s confidence in the nation’s food supply and I applaud USDA’s move in this direction.”

For more information contact Julie Lux at (908) 298-4774.

Agribusiness

Brownfield’s “Agriculture Today” Growing Like A Weed

Chuck Zimmerman May 26, 2005

There’s not a lot that’s really free in the world anymore but the Brownfield Network’s e-newletter is. You do have to subscribe and receive it by email. An RSS feed of it would be nice. Maybe that’ll be a future subscription option!

Jefferson City , Mo. May 25, 2005 — Brownfield celebrates the 18 Month Anniversary of their free daily e-newsletter, “Agriculture Today .”

Agriculture Today is sent via email to registered subscribers in 44 states and Canada each afternoon. The newsletter features futures closes, market briefs, top ag stories of the day and ag weather. The majority of Agriculture Today subscribers are farmers, agricultural educators and other agricultural professionals.

For more information contact Lane McConnell.

Media

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