Bio degradable race cars run on potatoes!!!

[rocky]

Green race car with a difference
Researchers based at a university have created an environmentally-friendly race car with tyres made from potatoes and brake pads from cashew nut shells.
Eco One is the idea of WMG, a provider of innovative solutions to industry based at the University of Warwick.

The car was designed originally with a top speed of 125mph (201km/h).

It will be at the Sexy Green Car Show alongside green offerings from major names in the motor industry at the Eden Project in Cornwall from Friday.

'Recyclable materials'

The car also runs entirely on bio-fuels and bio-lubricants.

Project manager Ben Wood said he has tweaked the original engine and claims he can achieve up to 150mph (241km/h) given a long straight and a tailwind.

He said: "Almost everything on the car can be made out of biodegradable or recyclable materials.

"All the plastic components can be made from plants and, although the chassis has to be made from steel for strength, steel is a very recyclable material.

"We already have the shell, brake pads, fuel and tyres sorted.

"My aim is to end up with a race car that's 95 per cent biodegradable or recyclable.

"If we can build a high-performance car that can virtually be grown from seed, just imagine what's possible for the average family car."


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...re/6493411.stm

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by rocky
Green race car with a difference
. . . .

"My aim is to end up with a race car that's 95 per cent biodegradable or recyclable.

"If we can build a high-performance car that can virtually be grown from seed, just imagine what's possible for the average family car."
. . .

What complete crap and hype.

Today's cars are 100% biodegradable or recyclable.

The use of a "race car" as an benchmark just makes matters worse.

I guess the unthinking masses would say; "Wow, if they can do it with a 'Race Car', than a regular car is easy!"

Well, race cars don't have to worry about longevity and comfort like a production car. If the seat covering splits from exposure to sunlight after 60 days, who gives a sh!t.

Walnut shell brake pads might work fine for 20 or 30 hot laps, but how do they hold up to 60,000 miles of all weather driving over 4 to 5 years?

[tim.s]

Oh man! I left car parked outside and the darn birds ate my tires!

Oh well, I needed new tires anyway, the old ones were beginning to smell rotten.