Finger Lakes Group
Winter 2007 Newsletter
The Green Grand Prix at the WG!
by Richard Hurley
The place: The Schuyler County 2007 Earthday event. I met retired art teacher and freelance artist, Bob Gillespie. He was setting up the display for the upcoming Watkins Glen Green Grand Prix, while showing off some conceptual student vehicle designs. The Green Grand Prix—a road rally at the Watkins Glen International Race Track with vehicles spanning the the spectrum of those powered by any imaginiable alternative fuel.
The major themes of the Green Grand Prix are energy independence, reduction of greenhouse gases and education about alternative fuels. The event included discussions at the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC.) Experts from around the nation come together to speak on a variety of topics including hybrids, ethanol, biodiesel, and hydrogen fuel.
If you're stuck on alternative fuel, you should take a look at the "alternative alternative fuel." Bob booked trucks powered by wood, propane, and steam. Moonbeam Car. Who can say if any of these are a viable solution to our current energy crises, but they sure go to show that the old oil industry rhetoric: the technology will "one day be there" is in fact just old rhetoric. It's here!
We talked about how important it is that we not only start looking at alternate fuels for vehicles but start getting our hands dirty with do-it-at-home auto building experiments.
It's important to establish a connection between our needs of transportation and those of the environment. Bob invited our group to be part of the this year's Green Grand Prix, which we did. The response from folks was outstanding. Mr. Gillespe has invited our group to the planning for next years event and I welcome any folks who would like to be part of it to please email me: Rhurly at richardkevinhurley com.
I am thinking about getting my own alternative fuel vehicle into the rally. Maybe a 914 Porsche powered by cold Guiness.