Green Grand Prix April 15 - Something For All

WATKINS GLEN, Apr. 8, 2011: In the market for a new car and want to learn a little more? Or are you a techno-geek eager for conversation about real results of the latest vehicle developments?

Whatever the level of your interest in today’s alternate-fuel driving options, the Green Grand Prix should be on your schedule for April 15 at Watkins Glen International.

Now in its seventh year, the Green Grand Prix is a daylong celebration of sustainable transportation that promotes awareness of environmentally friendly vehicles and fuels through motoring events and educational activities.

“Rising energy costs are pushing innovation in private transportation. The Green Grand Prix puts the latest vehicle technologies to the test in an exciting event that’s free and open to the public,” Green Grand Prix founder Bob Gillespie said.

Gates open at 8 a.m. The first events of the day, the Doris Bovee Memorial Road Rallies on the famed track’s 2.45-mile short course, get their green flag at 9:30 a.m.

The fuel economy rallies are organized and sponsored by the Glen Region of the Sports Car Club of America. Two rallies will be run simultaneously, with one group going a distance of 50 miles and the second stretching to 100 miles.

The rallies are expected to attract diesel and traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid models, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell cars and vehicles running on biodiesel, flex-fuel and pure electric. Additionally, organizers expect vehicles powered by vegetable oil, LP and compressed natural gas.

Colleges and high schools with automobile technology programs are encouraged to bring their project cars.

Among such expected entries are international Automotive X Prize vehicles built by Cornell University and West Philadelphia High School.

High schoolers stay in the spotlight after the rallies when Electrathon teams compete on a course laid out in the pits area. Practice will be from 1-3 p.m. Racing will start at 3.

Electrathon racing features single-person, lightweight, aerodynamic, high-efficiency electric vehicles. They have three or four wheels and are powered by gel cell battery packs not exceeding 67 pounds. They usually weigh between 100 and 150 pounds.

“This is the place to come to see how the best schools are training America's future automotive engineers and technicians,” Gillespie said.

Throughout the afternoon, most entrants in the morning rallies will be parked on display to talk to the public about their vehicles.

The Green Grand Prix, an activity of the International Motor Racing Research Center, kicks off Watkins Glen International’s opening weekend activities that follow on April 16 and 17.

Admission to the Green Grand Prix is free. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information, visit the Green Grand Prix website at www.greengrandprix.com.

THE SCHEDULE, FRIDAY, APRIL 15 at Watkins Glen International

7:15 a.m. Final registration begins for rallies, WGI Tech Garage
7:30 a.m. Tech inspection begins outside WGI Tech Garage, west side
9:00 a.m. Drivers meeting for both short rally and long rally, Tech Garage
9:30 a.m. Doris Bovee Memorial Road Rallies begin, using WGI short course
11:30-11:45 a.m. Doris Bovee Memorial Road Rallies end
1:00-3:00 p.m. Electrathon practice and final weigh-in/battery check, south of Pit Terrace Grandstands
2:00 p.m. Awards ceremony for Doris Bovee Memorial Road Rallies, Victory Circle
3:00-4:00 p.m. Electrathon race using loop circling the pit wall
4:15 p.m. Awards ceremony for Electrathon race and Technical Innovation Award, Victory Circle