Ohio Students Build All-Electric Van

In response to the nation's growing desire to be more "green" and less oil dependent, students enrolled in Ohio Technical College's Alternative Fuel program recently developed an all-electric powered vehicle dubbed the "Electro-Van."

The Van, a 1997 Ford E350, runs solely off the power of electricity, is fully functional and can reach speeds of up to 35 mph with a two-hour drive-time capacity. "What a great way to show off our students' abilities and to increase public awareness of alternative fuel vehicle options," said Tom King, director of Enrollment Management, Ohio Technical College.

"As the world continues to get greener, it's vital our students are trained and knowledgeable about the products, technologies and processes involved in creating, converting and maintaining alternative fuel vehicles."

A group of 13 Ohio Technical College students took six weeks to design and build the Electro-Van, which included converting it from diesel to electric with revisions to the body and drive train to accommodate the new power supply system. The vehicle now uses 21 batteries for power - solar panels have been added for recharging the batteries - and an electric motor that delivers up to 95 horsepower.

In addition to mechanical conversions, students enrolled in OTC's Collision Repair classes painted the Electro-Van green to represent a healthy and clean environment. A diamond plate interior was also installed for an ultra modern look. The final step was a full-body wrap, complete with lightning bolts, a globe and the Ohio Technical College logo, designed by the school's Custom Paint and Graphics Division students.

Sponsors who contributed to the Electro-Van project are: Pro-Class; Ralph H. Phillips Companies; T & K Welding Co. Inc.; A & B Grinding; Bills Transmissions; Ohio Materials Handling Inc.; Interstate Batteries; Goodyear; GC Supply Inc.; Kirk Battery; and Modern Tire Mart Inc.

Fisker Establishes Dealer Network

March 30 - Moving yet another step closer to delivery, Premium green automaker Fisker Automotive has appointed its first group of North American retailers to market and service its luxury plug-in hybrid vehicles, beginning with the $87,900, 100mpg Karma sedan later this year. Thirty-two award-winning retailers have confirmed their intent to carry the Fisker marque.

All Fisker retailers are well-established operations familiar with premium brands, new technology and discerning clientele. Many are family-owned, each is active in giving back to their communities, and all understand the need to offer premium customers a vehicle that reduces environmental impact.

By keeping startup costs low and not requiring floor-planning beyond demonstrator and display cars, Fisker is able to attract new franchises even in tough economic times. President Obama's recent pledge of $2.4B to support development of plug-in hybrid vehicles and battery technology is added incentive.

Fisker showrooms will reflect the company's concern for the environment and their vehicles' emission free capabilities. "They will be Eco-facilities, not Ego-facilities," Fisker Board member Vic Doolan said. Architecture calls for natural and sustainable materials like wood and textiles. An available solar-powered car port can keep demonstrators clean, dry, fully charged and ready to go.

Rolls Takes Pole Position at Goodwood

March 26 - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has loaned the Goodwood Motor Circuit a Phantom Coupe for use as the official course car at this year's Festival of Speed. The car will additionally be used by the Track Stewards Team to lead parade laps and other circuit duties at Goodwood.

The Phantom Coupe is finished in Darkest Tungsten with 21 inch forged alloy wheels. The interior features Smoke Grey Mono leather and Rosewood veneer and is complemented by a Starlight Headliner. The car has been fitted with special LED warning lights to allow it to be used as a course car.

"The Phantom Coupe is the most driver orientated car in the Phantom range and was therefore the natural choice for the Goodwood Motor Circuit," said Tom Purves, Chief Executive Officer. "The loan is a natural extension of the association between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and the Goodwood Estate."

Phantom Coupe is the fourth Phantom model since the launch of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 2003, following Phantom, Phantom Extended Wheelbase and Phantom Drophead Coupé. Production began at Goodwood in July 2008. The model includes tuned suspension and modifications to gearbox, steering and brake settings.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed runs July 3-5 and the Goodwood Revival, September 18-20.

Indy Centennial Approaches

March 25 - Needing a test facility for Indianapolis' burgeoning automobile industry, Carl Fisher and three other investors purchased 325 acres of land in 1909. They built a 2.5-mile racetrack and dubbed it Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"The Brickyard" -- a nickname coming about later that year when 3.2 million bricks were used to pave the track -- is the world's largest sports venue, with the ability to seat about 400,000 spectators.

One hundred years after the first of more than 300 races at the speedway, it remains home of the world-famous Indianapolis 500, as well as NASCAR's Brickyard 400, and some motorcycle and Formula One events.

The 93rd Indy 500 on May 24, 2009, is being billed as the first race in the track's "Centennial Era" of 2009-2011. Friday, March 20, 2009 was the 100th anniversary of the signing of the company's articles of incorporation by its four founding fathers.

As part of the celebrations, a Balloon Festival will take place May 1-3 at IMS with a full schedule of evening balloon glows and daytime ascensions. The event will commemorate the first competitive event ever at the Speedway, a gas-filled balloon race June 5, 1909.

For additional information, visit the IMS web site.

More Bad News for H2 Drivers

March 23 - As if increased gas prices weren't enough to make a lot of Hummer owners park their ride for the duration, Yahoo is reporting
that the leviathan off road vehicle also tops the list of most-ticketed vehicles.

Based on a survey conducted by ISO Quality Planning, H2 drivers emerged as the top ticket collectors in the country.

Other vehicles on the most naughty list included the Scion tC, Scion xB, Mercedes Benz CLK63 AMG, Toyota Solara Coupe, Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG, Scion xA, Subaru Outback, Audi A4 and Toyota Matrix.

The "nice" side of the list was topped by the Jaguar XJ, followed in order by the Chevy Suburban, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Silverado, Buick Park Avenue, Mazda 6, Buick Rainier, Olds Silhouette, Buick Lucerne and GMC Sierra 1500.

Making conclusions based solely on observed data is a practice filled with error. Are H2 drivers inherently more dangerous? Are they being profiled or targeted? Such conclusions are about equivalent to those from using a Ouija board.

Why? Here's an example of a conclusion based on this practice. "All electical appliances run on blue smoke. When you get a leak and all the blue smoke is lost, the device no longer works." Is that the kind of thinking that runs our insurance companies?

Drifting Heads Mainstream

March 13 - D1GP USA has announced that it has finalized a deal with GPI Content Corporation and The FOX Television Station Group to air
each of the D1GP USA Championship Points Series events in an estimated 45 million homes on FOX owned TV stations.

Each event, slated as a one hour special, is anticipated to be broadcast adjacent to high-profile sporting events during the fall 2009 season. The FOX owned and operated broadcast TV stations provide content to nearly 40 percent of the nation's households and nearly 44 percent of the nation's Hispanic households, assuring that D1GP USA viewers will be the largest U.S. audience ever to witness drifting.

Rich Goodwin, president of D1GP USA, commented "Not only will die-hard fans be able to catch all of the action, but millions of people who have never been exposed to drifting will have a chance to see the best drivers in the world going head to head - all in spectacular high-definition TV."

Weekly coverage of the D1GP USA Championship Points Series will commence this spring on the weekly syndicated motorsports show Steel Dreams TV, seen in more than 150 U.S. television markets and covering some 70 million households.

Transmission of The Future

March 11 - During the seventh International Car Training Institute (CTI) Symposium for Innovative Automotive Transmissions in Berlin, over 40% of participants responding to an on-site survey predicted dual-clutch technology will be the leading transmission by the year 2020.

Other transmission technologies, including conventional step-ratio automatic, continuously variable, manual/automated manual, and completely new systems only rated 10% - 15% each among participants. Approximately 1,000 transmission experts from around the world participated in the symposium.

Interest in dual-clutch transmissions is particularly strong among OEMs in Europe and major growth markets in Asia. Worldwide, BorgWarner projects production of dual-clutch transmissions to grow an average of 42% year-over-year, from approximately 600,000 transmissions in 2008 to five million in 2014. BorgWarner also expects to supply DualTronic controls technology, dual-clutch technology or both in over 80% of the dual-clutch transmissions produced worldwide in the next six years.

Organized by Germany's highly regarded Car Training Institute, the symposium gathered transmission experts from Europe, Asia and the United States to discuss how new vehicle and drive concepts, increasing energy costs and consumer purchasing power will influence transmission development.