2022.04.17

Carbon neutral fuel to be supplied from the 2023 Opening Round at Okayama. Joint Press Conference by Haltermann Carless and GTA

On April 17, race day of the 2022 SUPER GT season opening round at Okayama, GTA Co., Ltd. and Haltermann Carless Japan G.K. held a joint press conference. In it, the two companies announced that, as an environmental measure for the future, all cars competing in the SUPER GT series from the 2023 opening round at Okayama will be using the “ETS Renewablaze GTA R100” carbon neutral fuel produced by Haltermann Carless.

 

 

At the start of the conference, GTA Chairman Masaaki Bandoh started his address with the words that ten years from now he still wants to hear the sound of car racing. Then he went on to say that we have and obligation and a responsibility to make sure that society will continue to accept motor sports and that everyone involved is working together to promote environmental measures. He then explained that the three measures agreed upon include reviewing and revising the race regulations, introducing carbon-neutral fuel and working with the fans to promote reduction of trash and recycling.

 

 

Regarding the review and revision of the regulations, Chairman Bandoh said that the carmakers and tire makers have been told that the aim is no longer simply the pursuit of speed. For the engines, improving fuel efficiency should now take precedence over raw power. For the tires, the request is for a change in direction in development efforts toward achieving longer tire life rather than focusing purely on grip. And he added that the proving ground for the new fuel efficiency and tire durability will be the three 450 km races to be held in the series this season. Furthermore, the rule concerning the number of sets of tires that can be brought to the races will be eliminated from next season. And meanwhile, review and revision of the regulation will continue in search of a regulation that enables the cars with the most durable tires and the best fuel efficiency to win races.

 

 

 

 

 

Concerning the carbon-neutral fuel (hereinafter CNF), it was announced that all machines competing in the series will be required to use this fuel from the 2023 season in the Official Tests and all races. It was also stated that SUPER GT defines carbon neutral fuel as fuel that uses no fossil fuel as a raw material. In line with this policy, a partnership has been formed with the German fuel maker Haltermann Carless to produce the CNF, of which some 300,000 liters will be shipped to Japan by sea during the next season. At present, some 200 liters of the fuel has been distributed by air freight to Toyota, Nissan and Honda, and after finishing initial bench tests, Toyota has reported that, while some adjustments will be desired, the CNF passes JIS regulations (and in terms of performance) it is a good equivalent of non-leaded high-octane gasoline. The report says that data shows the fuel can be used (in races) and tests will continue.
Furthermore, it was added that this CNF is a compound of hydrocarbons made from second-generation biomass (cellulose) and oxygen-inclusive substances, the result of which is a 100% bio-mix fuel. Also announced was the fact that texts have been planned for the Tuesday after Round 5 of this year’s series at Suzuka for all 43 cars participating in the series. Meanwhile, it was also announced that the GT3 cars of the European makers will also receive the CNF from GTA to conduct bench tests.

 

 

The final measures talked about in the conference were the reduction of trash on the paddock and in the spectator stands and the promotion of recycling. It was stated that last season the separation of trash by type had been conducted on the paddock at Suzuka and Motegi last season, and that this season plans call for a variety of recycling measures will be tested at all of the circuits. Also, it was announced that data will be kept on the volume of trash generated at each circuit in order to establish goals for reduction the following season, that 100% recycling of all recyclable trash will be undertaken and efforts pursued to get all of the fans cooperating in the most grassroots level of environmental measures, namely the reduction of trash and increasing recycling practices.

 

 

 

 

Next on the conference agenda was an address by President Hiroki Kawamoto of Haltermann Carless Japan G.K. giving an outline of the company. The Germany-based parent company is a manufacturer of hydrocarbon substances, know to be one of the oldest chemical makers. The manufacturing base for the CNF to be used in SUPER GT will be a Haltermann production base in the United Kingdom. Mr. Kawamoto added that it is a leading company in the specialized hydrocarbons, and he added that “ETS Racing Fuels” (the Haltermann Carless motorsport fuel brand) is one of the company’s flagship brands, while emphasizing that it commands a high reputation in use not only in Europe but in championship series around the world.

 

 

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