NEWTON, Iowa -- Paul Teutul Sr. and his sons, Paul Jr. and Mikey, shared the track with international race car drivers at the Iowa Corn Indy 250 on Sunday as they unveiled their first green chopperthe Iowa Farm Bureau Renewable Energy Chopper.
The E85 chopper visually showcases sustainable renewable sources derived from Iowa agriculture such as wind, ethanol, soy biodiesel and even livestock. The chopper runs on E85, a gasoline-blended fuel that contains up to 85% ethanol.
The chopper is part of an Iowa Farm Bureau-led movement [image-nocss] called Join the Ride Iowa (www.jointherideiowa.com) to encourage the development and use of renewable energy.
The Iowa Farm Bureau partnered with OCC on this project because Iowa is the epicenter of renewable energy activity through our leadership role in ethanol, soy biodiesel, wind, and livestock production, said Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) president Craig Lang. More than any other state, Iowa understands agriculture and we knew if anyone could showcase that, it would be the Teutuls.
He added, American consumers want to reduce our reliance on imported petroleumand we canby supporting agriculture. We can become energy independent while protecting our environment through the use of agricultural resources and by being educated about the benefits of using clean energy like E85, wind and soy biodiesel.
The sleek, custom-built chopper includes innovative design features such as spinners in the wheels that run to scale of a genuine wind turbine; Iowa's wind energy industry is growing faster than any other state in the nation, with the ability to power more than 250,000 homes annually.
The front fenders feature 3-D sculpted corn and rear fenders soybeans: corn and soybeans are used to make ethanol and soy biodiesel. Iowa is the number one producer of corn, beans, ethanol and biodiesel, used to fuel, energize and clothe a world's growing population.
The engine runs on E85. Filling up a 32-gallon tank with E85 replaces one barrel of foreign oil with an Iowa-grown renewable fuel.
The custom cowhide leather seat includes artistic renderings of livestock. Iowa leads the nation in various livestock and poultry production; Iowa's livestock and poultry eat the co-product of ethanol production adding to the cycle of sustainability.
Consumers will have an opportunity to win the chopper as it makes its way on the Join the Ride Iowa tour across Iowa this summer by purchasing $10 raffle tickets. Gross proceeds from the Join the Ride Iowa raffle will go to the American Lung Association of Iowa in support of the organization's Clean Air Choice program, which promotes consumer education of E85, biodiesel and other clean energy initiatives.
In other racing news, Chevron Global Marketing has announced the kickoff of the Texaco 42 Days of Racing promotion with a grand prize race package featuring a trip to the final six stock car races of the season and a chance to meet Texaco/Havoline driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Other prizes include a 2008 Dodge Avenger R, autographed racing caps and Texaco gift cards.
Throughout the Texaco 42 Days of Racing, which concludes July 28, customers will receive free with any gasoline purchase a limited-edition Juan Pablo Montoya No. 42 Texaco/Havoline race team 32-oz. collector fountain cup.
The sweepstakes' grand prize package includes roundtrip airfare, lodging, deluxe transportation and two premiere tickets to each of the last six races of the 2007 stock car season.
Also providing additional support for the No. 42 team and driver, Texaco will release a special limited-edition gift card carrying the image of driver Juan Pablo Montoya during the 42 Days of Racing promotion. The gift card is expected to be available in stores later this summer.
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