Ethanol council shoots down Champ Car? No.

UPDATE A reader writes, Dear AutoRacing1.com, I was made aware of your posting and while I know you had the best intentions, it is important that you know that your interpretation of EPIC's member communication is totally off the mark. We are eager to engage with any motorsports series interested in converting to an ethanol blend, including Champ Car. The ethanol industry is looking for a way to make Champ Car's fuel switch happen in 2008 or in the nearest possible future. I hope you will post my response. Thank you in advance. Reece Nanfito

10/12/07 It is clear from the newsletter below that Champ Car pitched EPIC (Ethanol Promotion and Information Council) and was shot down. NOT GOOD, as Ethanol has been very aggressive to use motorsports to get its message out. Rumor is that EPIC is working on a deal to take NASCAR Cup all Ethanol in 2009, but with the multiple engine manufactures an agreement on the conversion technology to be used as well as the commercial arrangements was too complex to get done for 2008.

Basically, Champ Car got shot down even from a B2B level (no cash) and after that happened asked if the Promotion Council for Ethanol (EPIC) would make its member manufactures aware of the ‘opportunity’.

Why would a single supplier be interested in absorbing the cost of providing Champ Car with the expertise and product as the only benefit would be to Ethanol in general not the individual plant or manufacture of the Ethanol provided? Champ Car late to the party again. Shows they are pitching other series sponsors though.

—– EPIC NEWSLETTER: 'EPIC Member Insider 10-11-07'

Champ Car

The IndyCar Series and the American Le Mans Series' conversion to ethanol-enriched fuel has been a huge success throughout the 2007 racing season. As a result of this success, the Champ Car World Series has reached out to EPIC and expressed a high level of interest in switching to E85 for the 2008 race season.

Due to our existing commitments going into 2008, we have determined that EPIC is unable to directly sponsor Champ Car's conversion to E85. However, we would like to extend the opportunity to our members.

The Champ Car World Series has made a strong presentation of their capabilities and plans for an E85 focus in 2008. We are aware that an EPIC member company may value such a partnership, and may benefit from the relationship. The Series would be interested in discussing direct sponsorship, company or brand exposure in exchange for an E85 fuel supply, or some combination of the two. It is hoped that a company or group of companies may gain significant TV exposure and race market exposure as a result of the sponsorship. And, as has been shown, every time ethanol becomes the fuel of choice in a major motorsports series, the entire ethanol industry wins as well.

If your company is interested in exploring this opportunity, please contact Reece Nanfito, EPIC’s senior director of marketing at rnanfito@epicinfo.org or 402-932-0567, to facilitate a meeting with the proper Champ Car representatives, and help with developing a program to make E85 the official fuel of the Champ Car World Series in 2008.