When the Indy Racing League began using corn-based ethanol as their car's fuel last year, it was supposed to be an attempt to promote an environmentially freindly and renewable alternative to fossil fuels. However, with a global food shortage looming, many scientists and politicians are calling the production of crops for use in ethanol production a major contributing factor, and therefore a moral mistake.

Since his IndyCar is sponsored by the ethanol industry, driver Ryan Hunter-Reay has been hearing more about the debate than most. "(People) don't get the whole story," Hunter-Reay said at a recent promotional event. "The corn (the IRL) uses to make ethanol isn't food-grade corn. You wouldn't eat it. It doesn't look right. This is fuel corn, low-down, dirty product put into the process."

Toni Nuernberg, of the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council, spells the industry's position out in more detail.  "I can unequivocally state that ethanol does not take food from the mouths of starving people. Ethanol production uses field corn - most of which is fed to livestock with only a small percentage going into cereals and snacks. In fact, only the starch portion of the corn kernel is used to produce ethanol. The vitamins, minerals, proteins and fiber are converted to other products including sweeteners, corn oil and high-value livestock feed - feed which helps livestock producers add to the overall food supply,"  

For those on the other side of this debate, the issue isn't the grade of corn being grown. Their concern is the farmland that is being taken out of use to grow other crops & dedicated to ethanol-bound corn.  

While the IRL remains commited to corn-based ethanol at present, they are keeping their options open for the future. The league is looking at the potential of cellulosic ethanol, which is made from wood and non-crop plants.  

So, what happans when the anticipated 2011 new engine/chassis change arrives? "We're looking right now at our potential options for equipment packages for 2011," Terry Angstadt, president of the IRL's commercial divison, recently told reporters . "That may or may not include ethanol."   

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes