What’s Next: Racing is Going Green

It probably shouldn’t bother me, but I tend to get kind of steamed when people tell me racing is boring. Seriously, there are people out there who will make that statement, and then in the next breath, start talking about how awesome watching soccer is. Obviously, these people are insane. But what really pisses me off is when folks start whining about how “wasteful” auto racing is, because the fact of the matter is that a lot of the technology that makes road cars safer and more efficient comes from lessons learned on the grid. Recently, the American Le Mans Series launched the Green Challenge, a set of rules designed to encourage the use of environmentally friendly technology, and NASCARs are already running on E85. For some great info on the future of earth-friendly racing, head over to Wired and read the great interview with Lord Drayson, the UK’s minister for science and innovation. He moonlights as a AMLS racer, and he’s got an awesome perspective.