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Long Beach Expects Closest Fight Ever in MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge


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Long Beach, CALIF - The closest competition in MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge history is likely when the American Le Mans Series takes to the 1.968-mile Long Beach street circuit April 17.



Now in its second full season as the “race within the race” at all ALMS events, the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge recognizes the Prototype and GT category entrants that go “the farthest, the fastest, with the least environmental impact.”



To date, Audi, Peugeot, Acura, Porsche, Chevrolet, and BMW have each claimed at least one MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge victory. Aston Martin, Ferrari, Mazda, Jaguar and the independent Lola/Judd will be seeking to join that club at Long Beach.



The shortest race of the ALMS season at just 100 minutes, the Long Beach race is likely to require just one pit stop for most of the ALMS teams.



With a stellar field, including factory GT category entries from Porsche, Ferrari, Corvette, BMW and Jaguar expected to finish within seconds of each other, the GT category winner of America’s premiere environmental motorsports competition is likely to be decided by just a few ounces of fuel.



The U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the SAE International developed the formula for the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge in cooperation with the Argonne National Labs. The formula combines over 30 different factors in allocating 60 percent of the score for each car’s distance and average speed, with 20 percent for the well to wheel requirements to create and distribute the energy used, and 20 percent for the emissions of the tailpipe. Real time scores are posted on sanctioning-body official scoring monitors throughout the race.



Since the creation of the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge awards at the beginning of the 2009 ALMS season, 12 of the 22 winners thus far have also taken the race victory in their respective classes.



FIVE FUELS

All five energy sources identified as part of the United States government energy policy (E10 ethanol blended gasoline, E85R gasoline blended ethanol, GTL (natural gas to liquid) biodiesel, E10-electric hybrid power and Iso-butanol gasoline) have been used in ALMS competition.



RECENT WINNERS

The Peugeot GTL diesel prototype and the Flying Lizards Porsche E85 fueled entry took the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge honors at last month’s 2010 season opening ALMS event in Sebring, Florida. Acura and the Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche team were the respective category winners here in Long Beach in 2009.



The MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge has grown into a global program with the first Asian events held in fall 2009 joining the ALMS, European Le Mans Series and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. The specific formulas are regionalized for each series.



ABOUT THE MICHELIN® GREEN X® CHALLENGE

The American Le Mans Series is the only series currently recognized as “Green Racing” by the U. S. Department of Energy; Environmental Protection Agency and SAE International.



The MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge trophies are presented to the respective Prototype and GT winners. The bases for the unique MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge trophies are made of rubber recycled from MICHELIN® GREEN X® labeled consumer tires.



ABOUT MICHELIN® GREEN X® TIRES

MICHELIN® GREEN X® labeled consumer tires are optimized for fuel economy by reducing their rolling resistance and weight without compromising other key performance factors such as traction, grip and tread wear. Each tire is marked with Michelin’s “GREEN X®” symbol on the sidewall, indicating to consumers a level of increased fuel-efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions.



For over 18 years, Michelin has been dedicated to the research and development of energy-efficient tires and now, a complete line of fuel-efficient tires is available to fit the most immediate consumer needs.



Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin (www.michelin.com) designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs approximately 20,900 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.



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