Panoz Auto Development Creates an Algal Biofuel Le Mans Race Car

American boutique automaker Panoz Auto Development wants to return to the top tier of the American Le Mans Series in car powered by algal biofuel.

Founder Don Panoz said the company is "investigating concepts" that could it return to the premier LMP1 prototype category Panoz didn't offer many details when he made the announcement at a press conference before Saturday's 12 Hours of Sebring race, but Autoweek says "it is understood" that the car would use a Chevrolet engine and may burn butanol produced from algae.

"We are looking at something that has never been done before, something that would be good for sports car racing, good for Le Mans and good for us," Panoz said.

The ALMS has become an alt fuel test bed, with ethanol- and diesel-powered cars lining up alongside those running on gasoline. Panoz said development of its latest car is not contingent on ALMS officials approving the use of butanol, but it looks like the fuel will get a green light.


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