The fifth round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series this weekend promises to deliver a close fight in the MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge.

MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge

A great deal has changed since the ALMS last visted Lime Rock Park in 2009 when there no E85 bioethanol-fuelled runners at all in the GT class.

This time round, there are no fewer than nine such cars, including a Risi Competizione Ferrari F430, a Flying Lizard Porsche 997 GT3, two factory Corvette C6/Rs and a Rahal-Letterman BMW M3. The list continues with two LMP1 prototypes (Lola Drayson Racing and Lola Intersport Racing), plus the Dyson Racing Mazda which runs on isobuthanol.

“The popularity of new fuels and new green technologies in racing is really picking up speed thanks to the MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge,” observes Silvia Mammone, the manager of Michelin’s motor sport programmes in the USA. “More and more teams are switching from E10 fuel to second-generation E85R bioethanol and new fuels like isobuthanol. And we will also soon see hybrid technology in the American Le Mans Series with Porsche in the Petit Le Mans.”

The fight for the 2010 MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge is turning out to be very close, too, with eight different winners representing seven different teams and six carmakers so far this season.

ALMS, MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge