29 June 2021
Race aircraft in the World Championship Air Race (WCAR) due to stage its first season in 2022 will operate on zero net carbon aviation fuel.
WCAR is working with Prometheus Fuels to use its Titan Fuel Forge™ technology. This creates ‘fuel from air’ through a process that strips carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules from the air and converts them into hydrocarbons that are subsequently made into fuel.
The electricity used in the process comes from renewable sources such as solar, wind, wave and hydro.
Prometheus Fuels will start selling regulator-approved gasoline for ground vehicles later this year in its home state of California, before adding the production of diesel, jet fuel and avgas to its zero net carbon fuel product range.
Prometheus says its fuels are molecularly identical to those traditionally derived from fossils, so it will use the same storage, delivery and combustion technology as is currently in place.
Prometheus Fuels says its process produces net zero emission fuels. Top: Remember the good old days when Britain’s Paul Bonhome was world champion in the Red Bull Air Races?
Willie Cruickshank, WCAR Race Series Director, said, “As a signatory of the Sports for Global Climate Action Declaration, adopting, showcasing and promoting the latest developments in green aviation is a core principle of the World Championship Air Race.
”We are excited about the opportunities Prometheus’s zero net carbon avgas brings to both air racing as well as the wider global General Aviation community.”
Rob McGinnis, founder and CEO of Prometheus Fuels, added, “We’re proud to partner with World Championship Air Race in its mission to make the world’s fastest motorsport 100 percent carbon neutral.”
WCAR will pick up from where the Red Bull World Air Race Series stopped. It has a 15-year agreement with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) to provide sporting governance and contribute to the safety oversight for the new series.
WCAR says 12 teams will compete in its elite GP1 classification and confirmed a broadcast partnership with Aurora Media Worldwide.
