LONG BEACH, Calif. (April 22, 2013) – The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was a near perfect setting for Toyota to become the latest manufacturer to claim the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge as the Rebellion Racing Toyota finished second on the track and first in the Prototype category of America’s premier environmental motorsports competition.
Toyota becomes the 15th manufacturer to claim a MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge in the five years of the program. Drivers Nick Heidfeld and Neel Jani won the pole and led the first half of the two hour race, the Rebellion Racing team’s first ever American Le Mans Series street race.
Taking a record 15th MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge GT win for Chevrolet and Corvette Racing was the #3 Corvette Racing C6. R driven by Jan Magnussen and Antonio Garcia.
“Congratulations to Toyota and Rebellion Racing on their first ever MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge honors and to Chevrolet and Corvette Racing on yet another record,” said Silvia Mammone, motorsports marketing manager, Michelin North America.
Overseen by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, SAE International and the sanctioning International Motor Sport Association, the awards recognize cars that achieve the best combination of Clean, Fast and Efficient Performance at every ALMS race. According to the Green Racing steering group, oil consumption at the 2013 ALMS Grand Prix was 42.3 percent less than the all oil based fuels used prior to 2005.
ABOUT THE MICHELIN® GREEN X® CHALLENGE
The American Le Mans Series is the only series currently recognized as “Green Racing” by the U. S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and SAE International.
The MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge trophies are presented to the respective Prototype and GT winners. The bases for the unique MICHELIN GREEN X Challenge trophies are made of rubber recycled from MICHELIN GREEN X labeled consumer tires.
ABOUT MICHELIN® GREEN X® TIRES
MICHELIN® GREEN X® labeled consumer tires are optimized for fuel economy by reducing their rolling resistance and weight without compromising other key performance factors such as traction, grip and tread wear. Each tire is marked with Michelin’s “GREEN X” symbol on the sidewall, indicating to consumers a level of energy-efficiency that reduces CO2 emissions.
For over 20 years, Michelin has been dedicated to the research and development of energy-efficient tires and now, a complete line of fuel-efficient tires is available to fit the most immediate consumer needs. Please visit www.michelinman.com for a complete list.
For more information, visit www.michelinmedia.com or contact:
Sachin Deshpandé John Love
Michelin North America EMC Strategic Communications
office: 1 416 576 0226 office: 1 248 816 0106
sachin.deshpande@ca.michelin.com mobile: 1 313 506 2114
john@emcstrategic.com