World's first sustainable racing car set to compete

Research team at the University of Warwick have designed and built the world's first fully sustainable Formula 3 racing car.

Dr Kerry Kirwan led the research team which built the car. The vehicle runs on biofuel made from chocolate and animal fats. The car is lubricated with plant oils; and is made from woven flax, recycled carbon fibre, recycled resin and carrot pulp for the steering wheel. The University press release says the turbo-charged car has a top speed of 135 mph and will do 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. The car will run its first race on October 17 at the Formula 3 Championship final at Brands Hatch. The release quotes Kirwan as saying the idea behind the project is to show that: “being sustainable and green can be incredibly sexy, fun and fast.” He adds, some people think auto racing is a wasteful activity, however, this project is “aiming to show ways for the future, for people to race and be green.”