Marion, Indiana based, Ignite Racing Fuel, is the new the title sponsor for the ARCA West Series. ARCA West runs through the Pacific Northwest all the way up through Western Canada. Indiana based, Hoosier Racing Tire is the official tire provider for the Series.
Ignite's ethanol racing fuel is made with Indiana corn and is the first 100% American made racing fuel that is totally green compliant.
"It's high octane, with ratings of 108, 111, and 114. Plus, it's cleaner burning and runs much cooler than conventional gasoline," says Ignite co-owner Jay Berry, "cutting down on the chances of a race car over heating."
Berry says Ignite's blend is more consistent than most ethanol fuels out there, offering better peak performance benefits, like extra horsepower and even bigger gains in torque.
Ignite's fuel is blended with a higher ethanol content and burns even cleaner than the E85 used in average flex fuel vehicles. The formula is also cheaper than similar fuels produced by larger competitors. Officials with ARCA West estimate race teams will use between 10% to 13% percent more ethanol than they would with traditional racing fuel, but it's far less expensive. Sometimes by as much as $150 a barrel.
"People working in the garages understand the benefits of switching," Berry says. "But the Biofuel industry as a whole just hasn't done a very good job of educating drivers, race teams or other customers. We're hoping this partnership can change those perceptions."
Ignite is trying to position itself as a market leader and innovator, as states enact tougher emission standards, putting pressure on racing leagues across the country.
By making the switch, ARCA West becomes just the third racing league to transition to alternative fuels. All cars running in the American Le Mans Series can now run on one of four alternative fuels: cellulosic E85, E10, clean sulfur-free diesel, or gas-electric hybrid. The Indy Racing League switched to ethanol in 2007, but uses a Brazilian blend made from sugar cane. NASCAR is exploring the possibility, but so far, hasn't unveiled a timetable on adopting another fuel.
Besides sprint and midget car teams, Ignite has started catching on in the world of high speed drifting. Drivers are drawn to the gains in torque, which produces more speed coming out of turns.
Ignite also plans to target the drivers of monster trucks and high-performance tractors that run in tractor pulls. "The fact that Ignite's ethanol is made here in Indiana offers a certain appeal in the world of tractor pulling," Berry says. "Farmers like the fact that they can drop off their corn at our Marion ethanol plant, watch it get processed into fuel, and then use it in their tractors."
Ignite's sponsorship with ARCA West will add $10,000 to the Late Model Series Championship for first place and will increase the Sportsmen Championship winnings by $4,000.
The ARCA West season kicks off May 1st, in Vernon British Columbia.
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