Atherton Addresses Government and Industry Leaders

Scott Atherton: "Our collective goal is to get to the technology of tomorrow, faster."

Addressing a noteworthy group of government and automobile industry executives at SAE International's Government Industry Meetings in Washington, D.C., American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton today encouraged manufacturers "to compete in the great race of the 21st century - a race to new technology that will result in better cars with unprecedented efficiency by utilizing renewable bio fuels, generating fewer and cleaner emissions."

Atherton had been invited to Washington, D.C. by the EPA and DOE to participate in a press conference at the Washington Auto Show as well as to speak at SAE International's Government Industry Meetings. His remarks as the keynote speaker at the Government and Industry Meeting breakfast focused on the unique relationship formed a year ago between Washington (D.C.) and the American Le Mans Series as the government agencies and SAE International declared it the only racing series to meet the green racing protocols.

"Over the last 10 years, the relevance of auto racing has come full circle," declared Atherton. "Since its launch, the American Le Mans Series has been providing a platform of world-class racing for manufacturers to showcase technology that is cutting edge, relevant and that has a direct link back to the production line. In addition, we now stand together with these government agencies and SAE International to work toward educating consumers that being green doesn't mean being boring. Our collective goal is to get to the technology of tomorrow, faster."

Atherton also hinted that additional fuel sources may be on the horizon for the world's top sports car series.

"Going forward, we will continue to focus on the three alternative fuels (clean diesel, E10, cellulosic E85) with the possible addition of a fourth - if it becomes commercially viable and relevant as a consumer option," he revealed.

He added that the American Le Mans Series expects to add at least one gas-electric hybrid, competing in the prototype category. This would represent a next-generation hybrid using the very latest in lithium-ion battery technology from Zytek, a leader in hybrid technology and supplier for major OEM applications.

"We could not be more proud to be working with both government and industry to encourage and develop real solutions to some of the most pressing automotive mobility and environmental challenges of our time," Atherton concluded.