| Frequently Asked Questions |
| What exactly is the fuel now being used by Team Nasamax? |
| Team Nasamax is testing and developing its cars using ‘Nasamax Ethanol’ a bio-ethanol produced from a Sweet Sorghum crop variety. Nasamax Ethanol is produced using a ‘seed to wheel’ process which not only enables unprecedented yields of ethanol per unit of land but also has the lowest possible CO2 emission in use due to the novel technologies employed for growing and converting the crop to fuel. Nasamax has novel and patented techniques for crop production and cellulosic conversion of the crop, the whole of the crop is converted to fuel, not just a component. |
| Why are the de-naturising agents used? |
| The de-naturising agents make the fuel, which is 99.99 per cent alcohol, impossible to drink. They are put in the fuel in such a way that it is very difficult and expensive to filter them out, too. The de-naturising agents make the fuel cheaper due to the tax on alcohol. Pure alcohol would cost £17.50 (approx. 23 Euro) per litre, but with the agents, it is around half the cost of pump petrol. |
| What’s ‘green fuel’? |
| Bio-ethanol, when produced from bio-mass using advanced Nasamax technology can virtually eliminate all the CO2 that’s released when the fuel is burned. |
| Is the car different to other racing cars? |
| The car complies fully with the Le Mans prototype regulations for this racing. Working with our technical partners, a combination of alternative fuel combustion knowhow, fuel handling and combustion enhancement and specific engine developments has been employed to create the power necessary to be competitive. We also run the NBS™ fire protection system – see later answer for details. |
| What modifications to the car were needed for the fuel? |
| Bio-ethanol by its nature contains around 60% of the energy per litre compared to petrol, so although the car will be more energy efficient than the equivalent gasoline engined car, the volume of bio-ethanol required is greater per mile. With our technical partners ASTEK and 02Empower, we have made modifications to the fuel system and inlet air system to ensure complete and efficient combustion of the bio-fuel. For 2004, the ACO, the Le Mans organisers, have allowed us a 135 litre fuel tank and a bigger fuel flow restrictor to help with refuelling time. |
| You talk about energy difference. What exactly is that? |
| The bio-ethanol fuel has only 60 per cent of the energy of gasoline per litre, but burns more efficiently. Power is roughly equivalent to gasoline, energy consumption is less but fuel consumption by volume is higher. One analogy is a cup of coffee and an espresso. If one cup of coffee has a similar level of caffeine to an espresso, there is a larger volume of liquid. In this case, gasoline is the espresso, bio-ethanol is the cup of coffee. Our 2004 fuel tank capacity of 135 litres gives us the same energy per tankful of fuel as the gasoline cars, and a faster refuelling rate helps us to match the refuelling time during pit stops. |
| What is the ignition temperature of the fuel? |
| The ignition temperature of ethanol is roughly 30 degrees higher than gasoline. The engine therefore runs cooler. If you put gasoline on your arm, it feels chilly. If you put ethanol on your arm, it is even colder. The purer the spirit, the colder it feels. |
| What other green fuels could be used in the future? |
| ASTEK has proven technology using bio-oils of all types in diesel engines, hydrogen fuels and waste-derived fuels. However, the technology for the use of bio-diesel engines or hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles was not considered to be mature enough yet to compete at this level. ASTEK will continue to develop these in the near future. Team Nasamax with its technology partners will develop novel and high technology solutions aimed at increasing the role of energy efficiency and renewable energy at both Le Mans and in other premier international motorsport. |
| Does this type of fuel meet the regulations for the racing? |
| Under Article 17.1 of the Technical Regulations for Le Mans, we have special permission from the organisers to run this fuel. Team Nasamax sees these developments as pivotal to the future of international motorsport and will work with the ACO on future developments. |
| What dispensation has the ACO given to allow you to run this fuel? |
| We are in the last garage because the logistics of filling the tank are easier at that end, as we will need a refill during the week. Our fuel is purchased through the official Le Mans fuel suppliers, Elf, plus the car has a larger fuel tank and faster refuelling rate as already mentioned to give us energy equivalency. We are running the only LMP1 car so far to the new-specification 2004 Le Mans regulations, which also affects our specification. See our technical specification for details. |
| What is NBS™? |
| The Astek NBS™ fire protection system prevents the possibility of fire within the fuel tank of the Team Nasamax racing car. The oxygen-rich air that would normally enter the tank (to fill the space left empty as the fuel is used) is replaced by nitrogen-rich air from the NBS™ system. This renders the highly flammable fuel vapour and mist in the tank incombustible. This is the only racing car so far to run such a system although such technology is used in the aviation industry. |
| So, what’s Methanol then? |
| This is the fuel used in many forms of racing in America including Champ Cars, their premier series. Mostly it is produced from natural gas, methane, and therefore is a fossil fuel and not a renewable fuel. It is also highly toxic. |
| What is an LMP and an LMP1? |
| LMP is the premier class in this type of racing. A Le Mans Prototype is an open top, two seater, purpose-designed state of the art racing vehicle built to a rigorously controlled worldwide set of technical specifications. There are several other classes all the way down to slightly modified production sportscars. Le Mans competitors have included Audi, Porsche, Bentley, Cadillac, Mercedes and Ferrari. There has been a change to the regulations for the Le Mans Prototype class, and in fact, our 2004 car is also the only LMP1 car, specially built to the new 2004 regulations. LMP1 is the sub-class for this new specification, mostly making changes to aerodynamics and driver protection. Older cars can run to the old regulations as LMP900 and LMP675 for two more years. |
| What is the Le Mans 24 Hours? |
| The world’s greatest motor race takes place every year at the famous Le Mans circuit in the Sarthe region south west of Paris and has always been a showcase for the debut of new technologies in the harshest competitive environment in motorsport. The 8 mile circuit is a mix of permanent track and roads. Up to 48 cars and nearly 150 drivers will compete in the 24 hour race starting at 4.00 Saturday afternoon and running through the night. 2004 will be the 72nd race, on the 12 and 13 of June. Up to 50,000 Brits will travel to the race, which reaches up to 230 million homes worldwide on TV, plus live internet coverage with radio commentary on Radio Le Mans via autosport.com. |
| What is the LMES? |
| We are also competing in this series, new for 2004. There are four 1000km races, all at circuits famous for endurance racing, at Monza in Italy (April), Nurburgring in Germany (July), Silverstone in England (August) and Spa in Belgium (September). The classes are the same as for the Le Mans 24 Hours, with the racing regulated again by the ACO. Two of the races are expected to start in the afternoon and run into darkness, echoing the 24-hour race heritage. |
| What is the ALMS? |
| The All-American Le Mans Series works with the Le Mans organisers to bring the same endurance competition to 10 races in USA, Canada and Mexico. The races vary between 3 and 12 hours in format and run to the same technical regulations as Le Mans. |
| NBS is a trade mark of Applied Sciences Technology Corp, Nassau, Bahamas |
