OCTOBER 15, 2003

Motorsport and energy-efficiency

The Motorsport Industry Association will shortly to host a "Clean Racing: the Role of Motorsport in the Green Revolution" conference, which will feature as series of high profile speakers from the industry. The aim of the conference is to draw attention to the possible role that motorsport could play in the development of energy-efficient automobiles. The speakers will include Herb Fishel, the former executive director of General Motors; Ulrich Baretzky, Audi Sport's head of engine technology, Brendan Connor, the managing director of Cosworth Racing and Michael Copson, the technical manager of Ferrari-Shell Racing Solutions.

"Energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions are now a given in the automotive world, but their effective rollout to the public remains slow," says Chris Aylett, Chief Executive of the MIA. "The potential benefits of improved collaboration between the major car makers and UK motor sport are huge. As well as unlocking the commercial potential of innovative new products, these partnerships could draw on the estimated $1 billion of funding that public bodies around the world make available each year for "green" initiatives."