WorldFirst Formula 3 Car 2009

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[If anyone can help me with the OP, please do so.]
My first suggestion! :D

From http://www.gizmag.com/formula-3-rac...olate-and-steered-by-carrots-seriously/11625/

"The WorldFirst Formula 3 car is constructed from a veritable farmer's market of plants and vegetables. This includes a race specification steering wheel derived from carrots and other root vegetables, a flax fiber and soybean oil foam racing seat, a woven flax fiber bib, mirrors made from potato starch, brake pads made from ground cashew nut shells, plant oil based lubricants and a bio diesel engine configured to run on fuel derived from waste chocolate and vegetable oil (any chocoholics complaining that there’s no such thing as waste chocolate should know the term refers to waste from chocolate factories, not the remainder of a chocolate bar that someone couldn’t finish). The car also incorporates a radiator coated in an emission destroying catalyst and meets all the Formula 3 racing standards with the exception of its bio diesel engine, as Formula 3 cars currently cannot use bio diesel.

The team has tested the car to around 60mph, (96kmh), and are making final adjustments to the engine in hopes of reaching speeds of over 144mph, (232kmh), when they hit the racetrack in a few weeks time. They also claim the 2.0-liter BMW turbo diesel engine can propel the car from 0-62mph, (100kmh) in under four seconds, proving it is possible to build a competitive racing car using technologies that are friendlier towards the environment.

It was this desire to show the industry just how much is possible such technologies that drove the team to build the car. While the main focus of car manufacturers has been decreasing engine emissions, the University of Warwick team broadened their vision to include the raw materials used to build the car, as well considering its final disposal. The result was a car that is 95% biodegradable and demonstrates that automotive environmentalism can and should be about the whole package.

The WorldFirst Formula 3 racing car took the University of Warwick team more than nine months to develop and cost around £150,000, (approx. USD$227,000 at time of publication). It will go on display at several races including the European Grand Prix and Britain's Goodwood Festival of Speed."


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....Potatoes. Carrots. All good for you. 👍👍
 
Funnily enough I found out about this car in a Biology Textbook.
 
AutoEvolution.com
If you had any doubts it exists when we first presented the news and photos of the WorldFirst project (a chocolate powered racing car), find out the British researchers behind the project unveiled it on Tuesday.

It’s real and it can reach up to 145mph. The first eco-friendly racing car, by the name of WorldFirst, is made out of environmentally sustainable components and was developed by scientists from the University of Warwick.

“It’s been very exciting working on the project and important for our team to develop a working example of a truly ‘Green’ motor racing car,” said, James Meredith, the project manager.

'"The WorldFirst project expels the myth that performance needs to be compromised when developing the sustainable motor vehicles of the future,” Meredith added.

Dr Kerry Kirwan from the research team said plants formed the mainstay of the car's bodywork. “This includes a race specification steering wheel derived from carrots and other root vegetables, a flax fibre and soybean oil foam racing seat, plant oil based lubricants and a biodiesel engine configured to run on fuel derived from waste chocolate and vegetable oil,” he said.

The developers argued their decision to use sustainable technologies for their innovative Formula 3 racing car by the high costs of nowadays motor racing - which is making sponsors having second thoughts about the commercial value of this domain.

That is why WorldFirst came with a solution to maximize the returns on investment in that domain, therefore bring its own contribution to secure the future of motor sport competitions. The project also provides a potential support for the motor industry, in order for it to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable, while avoiding any compromise in performance.

“As original equipment manufacturers focus on decreasing engine emissions, to meet future CO2, the WorldFirst project proves that if you are going to wholeheartedly embrace the ‘green is great’ ethos you have to broaden your vision and have a strategy that stretches throughout the chain from the raw materials to the final disposal of the car. The project clearly demonstrates that automotive environmentalism can and should be about the whole package,” said dr Steve Maggs.

Something interesting I recently discovered...
 
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