Energy Efficient Motorsport

Introduction

From the early days of motorsport, developments have been made over the decades to turn motorsport into a multi-billion pound business, as well as an international sport.

As with all businesses, current affairs and public opinion play a large role in how the business conducts itself. Global warming has become a major worldwide issue over recent years, with the suggestion that the build up of carbon dioxide and other gases being responsible for the average surface temperature to steadily increase. Our use of fossil fuels also means that reserves of items such as coal, natural gas and crude oil will eventually diminish so renewable sources need to be found (globalissues.org).

What is EEMS? 

The concept of Energy Efficient Motorsport (EEMS) has been discussed within the UK motorsport industry for a number of years. It seeks to place a premium on the efficient use of resources and to encourage the development of alternative fuels and power train technologies and put energy efficiency at the heart of modern motorsport – without comprising the sporting spectacle.

There is a widely held belief that energy efficiency and green technology are not compatible with exciting motorsport. This is not the case – in fact the UK motorsport industry stands to benefit considerably by adopting EEMS concepts and taking a leading global role.

For EEMS to become a reality, UK motorsport and its suppliers, the automotive industry and its suppliers, fuel companies and the government need to agree on one common vision and goal. This vision needs to embrace alternative fuels and technologies to provide manufacturers with solutions to meet increased fuel efficiency targets.

In 2002 the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), sponsored by the UK motorsport industry, the UK Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) and the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in the UK’s Motorsport Valley, published a feasibility study that gathered together some of the best thinking on EEMS. This document explained why it is important that the UK motorsport industry embraces the concept of EEMS if it is to remain relevant to the future of the larger automotive industry. Included in the report were proposals that considered how EEMS concepts might be adopted for competition.

M DUK, established at the end of 2003, is comprised of influential figures drawn from across the industry. A £16 million allocation of Government funding was made available to establish and finance projects designed to develop and enhance the UK motorsport industry. The EEMS project now falls under the control of the MDUK and has received funding from the overall allocation (topgear.co.uk). 

image from techepics.com