| In an industry where eco-friendliness is very much | | | | based in Chicago. The company specializes in |
| sought after, the presence of bio-ethanol is a promise | | | | computer controlled engine management which is one |
| of better things to come. Automakers have been | | | | of the focal points in the development of the Dodge |
| under pressure for years now to produce | | | | Viper SRT-10. Although the Viper may have |
| environment-friendly vehicles. In order to meet this | | | | components better in quality than other Dodge auto |
| demand, automobile manufacturers have developed | | | | models, the reliability of Dodge auto components such |
| technologies which use alternative fuel and an | | | | as the Dodge Neon shifter is also evident on the |
| example of which is E85 - a combination of bioethanol | | | | E85-powered Viper. |
| and gasoline. | | | | In the process of developing the Viper, Jacob and |
| One problem encountered though by carmakers and | | | | Misjak realized that E85 does not only provide high |
| consumers as well is the scarcity of refueling stations | | | | performance but optimal performance as well. Thus |
| offering E85. But in terms of popularity, E85 is gaining | | | | the choice of fuel for the Viper was solved. In the |
| ground which was recently given a boost when an | | | | circle of performance cars, the Viper is not the only |
| E85-powered Dodge Viper broke the world speed | | | | car to run on E85. The Indy Racing League has also |
| record for a street car in the standing mile. | | | | realized the potential of E85 and has made it the |
| The eco-friendly Viper is owned by wealthy | | | | official fuel of the league starting with the 2007 |
| entrepreneur Karl Jacob. According to experts, the | | | | season. Aside from this, Volvo also fields E85 |
| record set by Jacob's E85-powered Viper proves that | | | | powered cars in races in Europe. |
| power and performance does not need to be | | | | The record, of course, is welcome news for groups |
| sacrificed for environmental concerns. | | | | advocating the widespread use of the alternative fuel. |
| The Viper's engine produces as much as 1,200 | | | | "We are pleased to see such support of this clean, |
| horsepower which enabled the car to reach speeds | | | | renewable fuel in the great state of Michigan," said |
| of 220.7 miles per hour in just one mile of running. That | | | | Michelle Kautz, the deputy director of the National |
| mile was covered by the alternative fuel-powered | | | | Ethanol Vehicle Coalition. "We thank Mr. Jacob for his |
| Viper in just 27.41 seconds. The record was set at the | | | | outstanding efforts and are proud to have him as a |
| Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport in Oscoda, Michigan. The | | | | member of our coalition." |
| Viper eclipsed the former record of 217.85 miles per | | | | Jacob concludes his quest by saying: "The E85 Viper |
| hour record set by a gasoline-powered car. | | | | project sets out to prove that we don't have to give |
| "Going green does not have to mean going slow," said | | | | up high performance cars in order to save the |
| Jacob. "We built this car to break the world speed | | | | environment. In fact, we discovered during this project |
| record and bring attention to the importance of | | | | renewable fuel performs much better than today's |
| renewable fuels. These fuels decrease our | | | | gasoline... My first car was a 69 Mustang we bought |
| dependence on oil and reduce overall emissions. As | | | | for $750 and turned into a race car. This is the story |
| we've demonstrated E85 enables us to go green and | | | | of what happens when a kid who loves cars and the |
| go fast." | | | | environment, grows up then builds an e85 powered |
| The car was made by Ron Misjak Jr. who works for | | | | Viper. |
| SVS, an aftermarket vehicle modification company | | | | |