The factory Corvette Racing team has confirmed that it will make the switch to bio-ethanol for the second round of the
American Le Mans Series this weekend in St Petersburg.
The team had planned to make the move to E85 for the season opening Sebring Twelve Hours but was forced to delay the switch due to an issue with the fuel cell fitted to the two C6.Rs.
However, with that issue having now been resolved and the engines in the cars having been recalibrated for the alternative fuel, the team will run the cellulosic E85 racing ethanol in the street circuit event.
"We're heading down the right path," Steve Wesoloski, GM Racing Road Racing Group manager said. "We're going to be able to demonstrate that an ethanol/gasoline blend can deliver exceptional performance, which is one of the objectives of this programme. While the reformulated E85R racing fuel has a higher octane rating than the E85 fuel than consumers can buy at a pump, its composition is very similar to an E85 winter blend.
“The sanctioning body levels the playing field between cars using the series' standard E10 fuel and E85R-powered entries by adjusting their fuel capacity and the refueling rate to compensate for the difference in the energy content of the fuels. The Corvette C6.R was designed and homologated before the arrival of E85 racing ethanol in the ALMS, so its 102-litre fuel capacity is slightly less than the maximum we're allowed to run under the new regulations. However, the St. Petersburg race is only one hour and 55 minutes in duration, sop it stop strategy and fuel mileage aren't likely to be concerns in our first race with E85R.
"The St. Petersburg event will be a good opportunity for the team to use the E85R fuel under actual race conditions. Then we can make adjustments for subsequent races."
