Lloyd and Glew prove they are the pair to beat

The Lotus Celebration weekend at Brands Hatch on March 24th was chosen to showcase the first Caterham to race on E- 85 hybrid bio-fuel. Participating in the invitation handicap race was part of the on going evaluation of fuel saving measures by Hyperion Motorsport who will run the Formula Woman Championship in 2007. Further outings are planned prior to the start of the 2007 Formula Woman Championship, which will be the first in the UK to run exclusively on hybrid bio-fuel (E85, a blend of 85% bio-ethanol and 15% petrol). The bio - ethanol powered Caterham 7 driven by 2006 Formula Woman runner up Vicky Lloyd finished a respectable 11th amongst a grid of 28 competitors in various cars ranging from Radicals to Lotus Elises. Lloyd stated:- "I was privileged to race in the first Caterham to be converted to bio - ethanol and the car felt exactly the same as the petrol Caterhams I drove in the 2006 Championship. I am aware that Hyperion and Minister race engineers have been carrying out vast amounts of work on the car and the finished product drives perfectly. I hope that the successful conversion of the Formula Woman Caterhams prompts others in motorsport to follow suit". Fellow 2006 Formula Woman Championship contender Emma Eede also competed in the race in an identical Caterham Roadsport running on normal unleaded fuel. The performance of the bio - ethanol Caterham was obviously not compromised as Lloyd out qualified Eede and finished 2 places ahead of her in the race. The reliability over a 20-minute race and a 30 minute stint in testing was also proven. The bio - ethanol car ran without any problems all weekend. Efficiency and the use of alternative fuels are all being addressed by Hyperion Motorsport but it is the use of bio-ethanol as an effective race-fuel that Hindle believes will have the greatest effect. Steve Hindle commented:- "We now have a fantastic opportunity to not only engage women into motorsport but moreover, to look at some of the broader issues that we, as an industry, face. It's clear that with the current political climate, motorsport is seen as a soft-target and we have to accept that we have a simple choice, either we create and drive the agenda or become subject to legislation - I believe that we should be in the driving seat. Alternative fuels are clearly the way ahead but we must ensure that we manage the broader issues as well." As recognition of the work already done, the Energy Efficient Motorsport programme (EEMS) have awarded Formula Woman "Campaign Partnership status" The first round of the 2007 Formula Woman Championship is scheduled for Pembrey on 28th - 29th July, although the new "Max" series has a guest slot at the Caterham Jubilee Weekend at Donnington on June 2nd - 3rd. << back to news