You’ve got to love a race car that runs on chocolate waste
By Susan Wilson
Well there are cars that run on biogas (poop), cars that run on biodiesel or ethanol, which can be made from crop waste, construction waste and lumber waste. Now the University of Warwick has developed a Formula 3 race car that runs on chocolate waste.
It is fitting that the University of Warwick has chosen a Formula 3 as their test race car. Formula 3 racing is sometimes seen as a training ground for future Formula 1 racers. Formula 3 got its start shortly after World War II in England. Since that time it has become a worldwide sport.
The researchers wanted to build a race car that was both sustainable and biodegradable. They accomplished both goals.
Actually the entire car is composed vegetables and recycled bottles and cans. Researchers at the University of Warwick have built a car that has a steering wheel out of plant fibers from carrots and other root vegetables. Turnips? Rutabagas? Beets? Whatever all the vegetables are that were used in the steering wheel, they make it biodegradable.
The seats are made from flax fibers and soy bean foam. Potatoes are in the body work and the car runs on chocolate waste and, wait for it, vegetable oil. This car made out of vegetables and recyclables will still go 125 mph. The University’s car fits all of the Formula 3 standards except for the engine. Biodiesel isn’t sanctioned in Formula 3 racing.
The car was created to be a green race car. A concept that initially seems oxymoronic but makes sense. Race cars like all other cars will eventually go to the scrap heap. The difference between this car and other Formula 3 racers is that this car has biodegradable body parts so it will dissolve over time rather than simply rusting and sticking around for the next few centuries.
The only problem is that Formula 3 racing doesn’t permit cars that use biodiesel or any other biofuel. But that too will probably change since most of the world is looking to reduce CO2 and other car emissions. It should only be a matter of time before the racing world starts running on biofuels, most of which is made from waste.
Related:
Entry was posted
on Thursday, May 7th, 2009 at 7:36 am
under
Read more entries by Susan Wilson.
Stumble It!
