Brazil´s UNICA to supply fuel for 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series

Brazilian sugarcane industry association UNICA announced this afternoon it has renewed its fuel supply agreement for the second year with the Indy Racing League (IRL) for the majority of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season.

UNICA became the official fuel supplier for IRL in 2009, the same time that Apex-Brasil, the Brazilian government´s export development agency, became a major sponsor of the IndyCar Series, UNICA explained.

"We´re pleased to continue our partnership with Indy, a global showcase for clean, renewable biofuels since 2007," said Marcos Jank, UNICA´s President and CEO. "With sugarcane ethanol, the series is guaranteed the additional plus of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 61% compared to gasoline, as recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to being green, ethanol´s higher octane rating also enhances racing performance," he added.

Specifically, the agreement calls for UNICA to cover the cost of approximately 200,000 liters (53,000 gallons) of the 100% ethanol to be used in 2010 by the IZOD IndyCar Series, as well as renewable diesel for the fleet of trucks that delivers cars, related gear and fuel for all races. The deal also calls for UNICA´s Sugarcane Ethanol brand to be featured at all Indy events.

However, sugarcane ethanol will only fuel 16 of the 17 IZOD IndyCar series races this season, including the Indianapolis 500. The remaining race, the Iowa Corn Indy 250, will be sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers Association, confirmed UNICA Chief Representative Joel Velasco.

Meanwhile, it appears as though IRL has yet to decide which suppliers or producers it will purchase the ethanol from, Velasco explained, noting that IRL actually purchases the fuel since they handle the logistics.

Additionally, at the inaugural Sao Paulo Indy 300, to be run on a street circuit in São Paulo, Brazil, on March 14, the ethanol will be supplied by one of UNICA´s member companies, Copersucar S.A., Brazil´s largest sugar, ethanol and bioenergy conglomerate, with 36 associated sugar and ethanol mills.