Special Motorsports Event - Methanol Institute Sponsors Flower of Scotland Powered by Methanol: Preparing to Break World Land Speed Record

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 6, 2012 In just a few days, Le Mans veteran racecar driver Rick Pearson will attempt to break the current world land speed record of 313 miles per hour in the methanol-fueled Flower of Scotland , a 1,000cc, turbo-charged streamliner. The Speed Scotland team is now preparing to ship the vehicle from its home in Lesmahgow, Scotland to the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah where they hope to shatter the current record by approaching 350-mph. A film crew from the BBC will film the record breaking attempt for a documentary that will be broadcast in January.

The Methanol Institute (MI), which serves as the trade association for the global methanol industry, is helping to sponsor the record-breaking attempt. MI Acting CEO Gregory Dolan stated, "Methanol is a proven, high-octane fuel ready to win the title as world's fastest. We are proud to sponsor the Flower of Scotland in its historic attempt to break the land speed record."

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is used extensively in motor racing circuits, from dragsters to midget racers. Methanol can also be blended with gasoline for use in conventional vehicles. Last year, China used more than two billion gallons of methanol as a transportation fuel in passenger cars, taxi and bus fleets. Methanol is made from a wide range of feedstocks, from natural gas and coal, to biomass and even carbon dioxide. The current wholesale cost for methanol in the United States is just $1.07 per gallon, making it the most affordable alternative transportation fuel.

The Flower of Scotland is just three-feet high, and 22 inches wide, boasting a 1-liter, turbocharged Kawasaki motor fueled with liquid methanol. The world land speed record for 1000cc wheel-driven cars; as opposed to jet-propelled; has sat unchallenged at 313 mph since 2003. The team expects to begin its historic attempt on August 11 ^th on the salt flats.

For more information, visit the Speed Scotland web site .