Topic > Biofuel and the Racing Industry - 1086

The billion-dollar racing industry uses high-octane fossil fuels for competition. Lately, ecologists and governments have begun to highlight the need for the racing industry to switch from high-octane fuels to biofuels. The concern for the preservation of diesel derives from its non-renewal nature; However, the racing industry should not be forced to use biofuels for three main reasons: performance, cost efficiency and high infrastructure expenses. Ecologists are of the opinion that the racing industry is an unnecessary burden on society, that it does not serve any purpose. But the fact is, the racing industry is just like any other diesel fuel-driven industry, such as automotive manufacturing and airplane development. If these two consumer goods are considered an important part of human technological innovation, there is no need to sideline the racing industry. Based on this we can also say that using biofuels for racing is absurd because biofuels cannot provide the boost that racing cars need to compete. Biofuels are not high octane in nature; diesel fuels are. Biofuel cannot be characterized as an energy-rich fuel. The use of biofuels instead of diesel will have a negative impact on the performance of racing cars, leading to heavy losses for the racing industry (The Royal Society 08). Secondly, using biofuels is not a cost-effective option as they are more expensive than fossil fuels. . According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture County Commission and North Dakota State University, there are approximately seven biodiesel producers in the United States. Biodiesel is the mixture of biofuel and diesel in a 20:80 ratio, which means the cost of biodiesel will be about $20 more… half the price. In any case, it is not necessary to use force for the racing industries to use biofuels. Works Cited: David, Suzuki. “Carbon offsets are one of many solutions needed for global warming.” Current controversies: carbon offsets. Ed. Debra A. Miller. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Print.FAO: State of the World's Forests. Rome: United Nations Office of Food and Agriculture; 2007. Print.John, Davis. “NASCAR Eyes Biofuels”. Domestic fuel 1.1.2009. Network. December 6. 2011. Greg, Pahl. Biodiesel: growing a new energy economy. Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishers, 2005. Print.Stern, N. The Economics of Climate Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2007. Print.The Royal Society: Sustainable biofuels: prospects and challenges. London: The Royal Society, 2008. Print..