Green Grand Prix crowns 89 mpg biodiesel Harley a winner

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Earlier this month, the Fourth Annual Green Grand Prix took place in Watkins Glen in upstate New York. The winner of the MPG competition was the biodiesel-powered Harley-Davidson owned and ridden by Bill Bolch (above) that earned 89 MPG. The Doris Bovee Memorial SCCA road rally included 46 participants using ten fuel types (including natural gas, hydrogen fuel cells, and gas-electric hybrids). Chip Beam's green car circuit favorite - the wood-burning SUV we also met at EcoFest in 2006 - made an appearance, as did a 1914 Woods Electric and Marcelo daLuz's "X of 1" solar racer (see a pic of the two side by side here). Organizers had an eye to the future, too: preschoolers were allowed to drive electric "Kid-Racers." If the images from 2008 in the gallery below aren't enough, check out some 2007 Green Grand Prix photos.

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Press Release:

2008 GREEN GRAND PRIX A GRAND SUCCESS !

Senate and Assembly Declare May 3rd Green Grand Prix Day in State of New York

The Fourth Annual Green Grand Prix was a highly successful multi-faceted competitive and educational event. The organizers were delighted with the ever-increasing participation from schools ranging from Elementary to University level. Our Doris Bovee Memorial SCCA road rally drew 46 participants using 10 different fuel sources.Hundreds of interested visitors attended the afternoon Sustainability Expo and were on hand to hear Assemblyman Thomas O'Mara announce that the State Senate and Assembly had formally declared May 3rd, 2008 Green Grand Prix Day in the State of New York.

As we all know, the energy problems we face today are tied to the issues of greenhouse gas emissions and national security. Our Green Grand Prix provides important public and media exposure for the technologies and businesses that point the way to the future and hold the promise of revitalizing our economy in the Northeast.

Highlights of the day:

➢ A biodiesel motorcycle won top honors for fuel economy.
Bill Bolch, Harley Davidson FX12P Biodiesel, 89 mpg.
➢ A Hydrogen Fuel Cell car took second overall in our SCCA rally.
Gary Stottler/Andy Degner, 2007 Chevy Equinox
➢ Two Plug-in-Hybrids competed in the strenuous 60 mile test.
Kolby Hoover/Terence Davidovits, Cornell X-Prize car and Hung Tran/Jeremy Koudelka, 2008 a123 Systems 2008 Prius
➢ WCNY Channel 24 took video footage for an alt. fuel TV special.
➢ Marcelo daLuz's "X of 1" solar racer from Toronto and Electrathon cars from Baker High school, Baldwinsville, NY gave demonstrations.
➢ Carl and R.T. Larson's last remaining dual tiller1914 Woods Electric Brougham was on display and toured the grounds.
➢ The solar and windpower portable energy lab from Wayne Finger Lakes B.O.C.E.S. demonstrated.
➢ "Chip" Beam's ever-popular wood-powered 1988 Isuzu Trooper S.U.V. competed in our rally and demonstrated.
➢ Students from Bradford and Watkins Glen public schools demonstrated their model hydrogen, compressed air, water, and solar cars
➢ Eco-rappers and an Eco-songwriter from Bradford Central school performed

➢ An interactive Energy Bike demonstrated electrical usage comparisons while a solar- electric motor bike toured the grounds.
➢ Pre-schoolers drove electric Kid-Racers
➢ Over 300 Student Alternate Fuel Vehicle Designs from 6 schools were exhibited and 15 won awards.

➢ Powerpoint talks included:
• SUNY-ESF Bio-Refineries from Woody Biomass.
• Cornell University Automotive X-Prize
• Juice Energy Green Energy
• Lexus Hybrid Advantages

Rally results have now been posted on our website www.greengrandprix.com


Official MPG numbers:

Green Grand Prix Fuel Economy competition

1. Bill Bolch 1990 HD FX12P Biodiesel 89 mpg.
2. Al Walker 2004 Prius 59.6 mpg
3. Dr. Willie Yee 2007 Prius 56.9 mpg
4. Dooley Kiefer Prius 50 mpg
5. Josh Gillespie 2004 Prius 48.8 mpg
6. Graham Jones VW Jetta Diesel 47 mpg
7. Joan Zerbe-Brandt Prius 47.7 mpg
8. Michael Dengler 2006 Prius 45.8 mpg
9. Brandon Lawson 2008 Prius 45.6 mpg
10. Bill Edwards 2004 Prius 45 mpg
11. Sue Epstein 2008 Civic hybrid 42.7 mpg
12. Bill Gillespie 2007 Camry hybrid 40 mpg
13. Chuck Lincoln 2007 Camry hybrid 38.5 mpg
14. Linda Jones 2008 Smart 4Two Passion ` 37.6 mpg
15. Marsha Kneeland 2006 Civic hybrid 37.6 mpg
16. Gene Spanneut 2008 Camry hybrid 35.6 mpg
17. Omelia Stevens VW 31.3 mpg
18. JR Miller 2006 Ford Taurus 31 mpg
19. Laurie Scullin 2000 Nissan Ultima 30 mpg
20. Kailey DeGraff 2008 Lexus 400h 27.6 mpg
21. Robert Staub 2008 Chevy Tahoe hybrid 23.1 mpg
22.Chris Channer 2007 Lexus 600h 22.1 mpg
23. David Marion 2008 GMC Yukon 19.9 mpg


Overall Finish:

Place Car No. Points Driver/Navigator Car Make Class
1 18 84 Mark Gonya - Frank Beyer 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
2 9 147 Gary Stottler - Andy Degner 2007 Chev Equinox Hydrogen
3 27 225 Kailey Degraff - 2008 Lexus RX400h Hybrid
4 23 256 JR Miller - Jill Kibler 2006 Ford Taurus Gas
5 22 266 John Cadwallader - Julius Carroza 1933 Ford Flathead Pickup Alt Fuel
6 33 273 Sue Epstein - Lee Calhoun 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
7 20 276 Rick Hughey - Paul Marcellus 2007 Honda GX CNG
8 8 287 Gene Spanneut - Justin Spanneut 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid Hybrid
9 24 300 Bill Bradshaw - Ann Miller 1994 Toyota Celica Gas
10 38 316 Karin Silvernale - Jim Fitzgibbons 2007 Chev Impala Alt Fuel
11 21 325 Laurie Scullin - Mike Scullin 2000 Nissan Altima Gas
12 13 417 Linda Jones - Alan Jones 2008 Smart 4Two Passion Gas
13 3 513 Chuck Lincoln - Tom Lincoln 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid Hybrid
14 39 573 Bill Gillespie -Don Gillespie 2007 Toyota Camry Gas
15 30 583 Brandon Lawson - George Lawson 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid
16 17 648 Joan Zerbe-Brandt - Constance Rangle Toyota Prius Hybrid
17 10 693 Michael Dengler - Bill Garrison 2006 Toyota Prius Hybrid
18 28 699 Jon Linn - Muhammed Hussain 2009 Lexus RX400h Hybrid
19 44 742 Graham Jones - Charlie Woznock Volkswagen Bio-Diesel Alt Fuel
20 26 755 Chris Channer - Greg Marion 207 Lexus LS600h Hybrid
21 1 756 Kathy Bolch - 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 BioDiesel
22 37 859 Emily Vetruba - Omelia Stevens Gas
23 25 886 Marcia Kneeland - Kim Heitmann 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid
24 6 1212 Robert Staub - Colette Staub 2008 Chev. Tahoe Hybrid Hybrid
25 12 1230 Bill Edwards - Dick Smith 2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid
26 43 1233 Kolby Hoover - Terence Davidivitz 1992 Geo Metro Gas
27 34 1251 Al Adams - Alysha Adams Mustang Gas
28 29 1272 Al Walker - Denise Rogers 2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid
29 11 1299 Marilyn Smith - Karen Edwards 2005 Toyota Prius Hybrid
30 31 1363 Joan Gaylord - Nanette Sprague 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid
31 16 1500 Kent Johnson - Cyril Merrick 2005 Toyota Prius Hybrid
32 14 1800 Richard Starbuck - Bill Overbaugh 2003 Chev C7500 Alt Fuel
32 32 1800 Robert Beam - Aaron Lantz 1988 Isuzu Trooper Alt Fuel
32 42 1800 Joe Kidd - Mike Roemel Dodge Caravan Turbo-Diesel Alt Fuel
32 2 1800 William Bolch 1990 HD FX12P BioDiesel
32 7 1800 Lee Magee - Patricia Finn 1996 Chevy Cheyenne BioDiesel
32 5 1800 Peter DeRyck - 2002 VW Jetta Diesel
32 40 1800 Shannon Correa - Sid Mann 2006 Honda FCX Hydrogen
32 4 1800 Alan Stoner - Dennis Chapman 1997 Acura Gas
32 35 1800 Colin Sweeney - Bill Hughes 2008 Smart Two Gas
32 36 1800 Dooley Kiefer - Dick Laville Prius Hybrid
32 41 1800 Mark Chamberlain - Gwen Chamberlain 2002 Honda Civic Si Gas
32 15 1800 Hung Tran - Jeremy Koudelka 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid Hybrid
32 19 1800 Willie Yee – Vaughan Baker 2007 Toyota Prius Hybrid Hybrid
32 45 1800 Josh Gillespie -Joy Sanchez 2005 Prius Hybrid
32 46 1800 David Marion - Jenny Marion 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid