A few weeks ago, researchers at the University of Warwick in Coventry, UK, unveiled a crazy-green Formula 3 racing car constructed with root veggies and fueled by a cocoa blend. This month, the WorldFirst car faces its first race.
You don't have to be a motorsports fan to appreciate the WorldFirst. Research team leader Kerry Kirwan calls it the greenest car in its class. TreeHugger calls it the "Flying Carrot." The seats are made from flax and soybean oil foam, the body contains recycled carbon and resin materials. A purple steering wheel sounds like V-8 juice: it contains carrots, assorted veggies, and beets. The fuel is a chocolate and animal fat blend.
On October 17, the 20-year-old rookie Aaron Steele will race the vehicle in the Formula 3 Championship final at Brands Hatch. Formula 3 tends to be a step on the way to serious international Formula 1 racing. The WorldFirst is certainly no homemade hippie go-kart. Chocolate in the tank helped it reach 135 miles per hour in test runs. I just hope it's got some serious fire protection. Hot cocoa-fuel anyone?
Photo: The WorldFirst research team with its green racer. Credit: University of Warwick.
Tags: Alternative Fuels, Cars, Green Tech, Materials, Renewable Energy
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