American motorsports is poised to take a giant leap into the future April 18-20 at the 34th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
With the debut of "Green Power Prix-View" and an expanded Lifestyle and Alternative Energy Expo, the Toyota Grand Prix weekend will be the first major auto racing event to focus on innovations in alternative energy as they apply not only to everyday life, but to the world of fast cars as well.
Green Power Prix View will feature extensive, weekend-long displays of alternative energy vehicles, including the Toyota "Highway to the Future," as well as on-circuit activities featuring everything from hybrids to electric power to robotic vehicles.
The robotic vehicles will include the 1-2 finishers in the recent Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Urban Challenge in Victorville, CA, which attracted more than 30 entrants, as well as the Toyota Prius that finished sixth.
The first-place vehicle from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA won $2 million, while the runner-up entry from Stanford University in California took home $1 million. The Prius was entered by the Ben Franklin Racing Team.
The DARPA contest required the robotic vehicles to navigate traffic circles, avoid moving obstacles and merge into lanes…all the while obeying California's traffic laws!
In addition, race attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in an alternative energy vehicle ride/drive program, slated for 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, April 20 near turns 9 and 10 on the east side of the Grand Prix circuit.
And, all weekend long, the Lifestyle and Alternative Energy Expo will highlight renewable energy sources, water and energy conservation, green building and healthy lifestyles for inside AND outside the home. The Expo is open race weekend from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday and, like all in-circuit Green Power events, is free with a race ticket.
The Expo's host - the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center -- will be doing its part, too, generating more than 725 kilowatts of power daily from rooftop solar panels…more than 25% of the building's energy requirements.
"Green Power" will be a featured part of the weekend's six racing series ON the track, as well.
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U. S. Department of Energy and SAE International to incorporate "green racing" into its 2008 season, with all series cars competing on alternative fuels
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