Drivers. Series Executives. Team Owners. All are represented in the Motorsport Industry Association-SEMA “Race Has Gone Green” conference to be held Friday, April 16 at the Long Beach Convention Center held in concert with the 39th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The weekend also will feature the second round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón on Saturday.
The conference will focus on the future of racing and emphasize the importance, and viability of developing products for the racing and automotive industries with efficiency and the environment in mind. Panelists and keynote speakers will explain how they are profiting from this new business and share information about that success.
At least five participants have direct involvement with the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Scott Atherton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Series, will participate on a panel entitled, “Is Green Racing Here to Stay?” along with Michelin’s Technical Director Forrest Patterson. Michelin, a world leader in tire research, also supports the American Le Mans Series’ MICHELIN® Green X® Challenge that awards teams each race for their overall performance, fuel efficiency and low environmental impact via reduced carbon emissions.
Steve Pruitt, whose Corsa Motorsports team fielded the 21st Century’s first gas-electric hybrid race car to race in the American Le Mans Series, joins a panel discussing “Energy Efficiency and Performance”.
Presenting the keynote luncheon address will be Mazda’s Robert Davis, Senior Vice President of Product Development & Quality. Mazda competes in the Series with a Dyson Racing Lola prototype that uses the biofuel, isobutanol.
Paul Drayson, driver and team owner of Drayson Racing, will close the session with remarks from his global perspective as Great Britain’s Minister of Science and Innovation. In addition, the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón — recognized as the Global Leader in Green Racing — will announce and present its ‘Green Dream Team” of drivers who will serve as the Series’ ambassadors for its green racing initiatives.
The “Race Has Gone Green” conference begins at 8:00 a.m. PT in the Long Beach Convention Center and concludes at 2:15 p.m. with a Paddock Tour of teams participating in the weekend’s race.
