M18 D-13: a cleaner fuel

From the earliest discussions which led to the creation of the CIK-FIA “U18” Karting World Championship and Academy Trophy, several groundbreaking ideas naturally found their place in the concept, such as the addition of an educational programme within the framework of each of the three events on the calendar.

The launching of these new championships was the ideal opportunity for turning to cleaner fuel. Its introduction is greatly facilitated by the fact that each of the categories concerned – the “U18” and the Academy – adopts a single engine type. Taking advantage of the availability on the market of several quality products compatible with a use in competition, the CIK-FIA had an invitation to tender issued in order to designate a single-supplier of second-generation “E10” bio-fuel.

“Although it is quite modest relative to automobile sport from an industrial viewpoint, Karting cannot be one down in the field of the respect of the environment, explained Nicolas Deschaux, the President of the CIK-FIA. The responsibility of the CIK-FIA as an international Federation is all the bigger as those who practise it are young. In terms of education and civic and sporting awareness, it is important to place the “U18” World Championship and Academy Trophy within the scope of a responsible approach with regard to the environment and sustainable development. It will be the first use of bio-fuel in major international Karting competitions and it is an opportunity for the CIK to align with other important FIA Championships which promote green initiatives and technologies. All the tests conducted to this day with the engines supplied by the Manufacturer Parolin have clearly shown that our 2-stroke competition engines easily adapt to the “E10” bio-fuel, and it is not utopian to contemplate the possibility that other Karting categories will follow suit in the future.”

Further to the invitation to tender, the single-supplier designated for the year 2010 is the Italian petroleum Producer Panta, whose “E10” fuel is also used in the WTCC, the FIA World Touring Car Championship. Its “E10” fuel is a so-called second-generation one because the 10% of ethanol added to the petrol are wooden waste extracts and therefore produced from ingredients of non-food origin. The use of second-generation bio-ethanol reduces the use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, without interfering with the production of food.

“Panta is pleased to associate its know-how and its “E10” fuel to the preoccupations of the FIA and of the CIK, explained Giovanni Cristofanilli, Director of the Racing Fuel Department of the Panta Distribuzione Spa company. It is important to demonstrate that the respect of the environment is not incompatible with motor sports, even practiced at the most competitive level of a World Championship.”

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