Chocolate-powered car in pole position (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Chocolate-powered car in pole position

2:45pm Friday 8th May 2009

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A RACING car powered and built from natural ingredients including chocolate, carrots and potatoes, has been unveiled by researchers at the University of Warwick.

The scientists have built the competitive Formula 3 car – which can still do 125mph around corners – to show how much can be done with environmentally sustainable technologies.

The “WorldFirst Formula 3 racing car” runs on fuel made from waste chocolate and vegetable oil, has a steering wheel derived from carrots and other root vegetables, a flax fibre and soybean oil foam racing seat and bodywork made from potatoes.

RENEWABLE The researchers based in the university’s Warwick Manufacturing Group and the Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre said the car met all the Formula 3 racing standards except for the engine fuel as competing cars currently cannot use biodiesel.

The car is the world’s first Formula 3 racing car designed and made from sustainable and renewable materials and is now ready to drive, the team said.

Dr Steve Maggs, of the research team, said embracing the “green is great ethos” meant working throughout the construction chain from the raw materials used to the final disposal of the car.

Project manager James Meredith said: “It’s been very exciting working on the project and important for our team to develop a working example of a truly ‘green’ motor racing car.

“The WorldFirst project expels the myth that performance needs to be compromised when developing the sustainable motor vehicles of the future.”

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