Corn Grower, NCGA Roar onto Capitol Hill in Ethanol-powered Race Car Promoting Ethanol (9-27-06)

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), the Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA), the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and five-time International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Funny Car champion Mark Thomas are on Capitol Hill today to promote ethanol’s success as America’s renewable fuel.
 
“When it comes to promoting and using ethanol as the renewable fuel that can help displace foreign oil, Mark Thomas walks the ethanol walk and talks the talk with his ethanol-powered race car,” said OCGA Executive Director Dwayne Siekman. “This event serves as a great opportunity to educate consumers and congressional members and staffs about the mainstream uses for ethanol.”

Thomas is showcasing his ethanol-powered, high-performance race car, which runs on 100 percent ethanol on the IHRA circuit.           

“The growth and advances in U.S.-grown renewable fuels show that ethanol is playing an important part in the United States displacing foreign oil,” added Siekman. “Ethanol is playing more and more of a prominent role as Congress and the states continue a strong drive to fight the battle of oil supplies and costs.”
 
“Ethanol’s benefits to our nation’s energy future, to rural America and to our environment are undeniable,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen.  “Beyond that, ethanol is also a high quality, high-performance motor fuel, whether it’s for race cars or commuter cars. Mark Thomas and his success using 100 percent ethanol is a perfect example. “
 
Congressional members are stopping by to meet with Thomas and NCGA’s state executives, who are meeting in Washington, D.C.
 
IHRA President Aaron Polburn and General Motors (GM) Regional General Manager Scott Mackie joined NCGA, OCGA and RFA in promoting the event this year. GM also displayed E85 flex fuel vehicles around Thomas’ race car.