Earthrace, a unique 78 foot biodiesel powered wave-piercing trimaran, is at the starting line in Port Charles, Barbados. The sponsored project is looking to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat, and intend to do it on renewable fuel.
The team is skippered by 41 year old New Zealander Pete Bethune, who intends to showcase a myriad of environmentally friendly technologies; the engines are two 540 hp Cummins Mercruiser diesels, the use of non-toxic antifouling and a fuel efficient hull design. The trimarans hull “pierces waves instead of riding on top of them. Piercing the waves gives a smoother ride, and allows the boat to run at high speeds even in rough seas.” Their goal is to top the world powerboat circumnavigation record of 74 days, 20 hours, 58 minutes which was set in 1998. Specifications
* Hull: Wavepiercing Trimaran
* Length: 24 m (78 ft)
* Beam: 7 m (23 ft)
* Draft: 1.3 m (4 ft)
* Range: 3000 nm (6000 km)
* Maximum speed: 45 knots (90 km/h)*
* Fuel: B100 Biodiesel (100%)
* Fuel Capacity: 10,000 litres (2500 imperial gallons)
* Displacement: 10 ton (10 t)
* Construction: Carbon, Kevlar composites
* Crew: 4
* Beds: 8
* Engines: 2 x 350 kW (540 hp) Cummins Mercruiser
* Gearboxes: ZF 305A (single speed)
* Air intakes: top of wings to remain above waves while piercing
* Windscreen: 17 mm laminated toughened glass
The world record attempt will begin on March 10, 2007 although I’ve heard the 6th in a email from Donna Lange today. (which is why I’m posting this early) The Turbo.com channel of Discovery.com is covering this like nobody else, so that’s probably the best place to get up to speed and stay up to date. Oh … and if you think everything is going like clockwork, just read some of the Earthrace team comments.
😉
Haven’t posted a video clip for a few days and thought I would post this one for Taylor — he would rather be one of these rats. (Does PETA regulate rats?)
Hey that’s my car! DieselBlog is featuring rotating headers on their website and has a photo of my Volkswagen Jetta TDI filling up at the Mt. Gilead Ohio biodiesel pumps!
😀
The site is a very informative site which includes updates on news relating to diesel vehicles and the technology which is making them superior to gasoline based vehicles. Dieselblog is a quick daily read and is well worth bookmarking. (its in my list of links — right hand sidebar)
WordPress, popular blog publishing software, is the latest to fall victim to a security problem. The problem only affects those who have upgraded to 2.1.1 over the last week. WordPress software has been corrected with the latest 2.1.2 release and an upgrade should alleviate the risk tied to a PHP exploit. Most who have downloaded in the past are probably fine, and the server exploit access point has been secured, but all users should review their version and upgrade to WordPress 2.1.2. (versions prior to 2.1.1 ‘should’ be ok)
According to Matthew Mullenweg at WordPress.org, “it was determined that a cracker had gained user-level access to one of the servers that powers wordpress.org, and had used that access to modify the download file. We have locked down that server for further forensics, but at this time it appears that the 2.1.1 download was the only thing touched by the attack. They modified two files in WP to include code that would allow for remote PHP execution.”
The rain has been coming down and it almost looks like spring is here in southwestern Ohio. Yesterday I soaked my leather seats tossing the umbrella in the rear door as I made a quick escape from the cold rain, so when I read an Autobloggreen Australian two part review on the Volkswagen Passat TDI, the umbrella holder caught my eye. (photo right) Its a nice touch in a car many diesel lovers in the US would like to test drive.
The two part review (Part One | Part Two) is written from a real world buyers perspective, more of a “why I (or why my father) bought this car.” If you’re not up to reading a two part ‘personal’ review, do yourself a favor and check out the great photos in the gallery.
For my part, I’m just going to list a few of the features Dane Muldoon mentions and put them in my personal Pros and Cons columns.
Pros:
* TDI isn’t priced much more than gasser (in Australia anyway)
* Middle of the road styling; not ostentatious
* Passat comes with a full-sized spare on an alloy rim
* Removable ‘plastic’ key inside keyless remote
* Hill assist feature, but is it really needed in a automatic?
* Automatic windshield wiper feature
* Dimming rearview mirror
* Dual Climate controls
* Comfortable cabin and seating (leather is attractive)
* Chillable Glovebox, center cup holders and umbrella holder
* Computer controlled ESP, ABS, EBD, and ASR (read article)
* Tire pressure monitoring
* Five star safety rating
* 6 speed DSG – 3-4 milliseconds for each gear change
* 2.0 liter 138 HP/236 lb-ft of torque
* Combined city / highway mileage = 35.6 mpg.
Cons:
* Passat 2.0 TDI Sedan 6 Speed DSG = AUD$44,990 (US$35,641)
* Size and looks very similar to lower priced Jetta
* ‘Pricey’ Key Fob used with push button starting
* Required Electric Parking brake; no manual parking brake
* Highway noise is a “bit high and wearisome”
* Not available in the US; no BlueTec yet
Jim Osborn, of Ooltewah, Tennessee, and his Spice Red Number 24 MK 5 Volkswagen Jetta TDI will be debuting Chili Pepper Racing’s high performance diesel this year at the SPEED World Challenge season opener at Sebring, March 14-16. This entry is believed to be the first production-based diesel car to race in a professional U.S.-based road racing series. His team has been involved with the SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Series since 2002 and will be showcasing what diesel technology can do on the raceway just as more clean diesel cars begin to make their way to America.
In a recent Speed Illustrated article, Osborn stated, “Words can’t describe how excited we are about this project. Alternative fuels have been getting a lot of media attention lately and to bring a diesel car to SPEED World Challenge is a great stage to showcase how far diesel has come and encourage its use.â€
Dr. Jim and his wife also use their racing passions to raise funds and awareness for worth charities like the Austin Hatcher Foundation which supports research into the diagnosis, treatment and cure of pediatric cancer. The No. 24 VW Jetta TDI also carries the logos of Remote Area Medical and TC Thompson Children’s Hospital in Tennessee.
Also new for 2007 is Chili Pepper Racing’s race shop and soon to be released web store. (VW Mark V TDI owners stay tuned) According to Chili Pepper Racing, “the store focuses on performance and turbo diesel upgrades for Volkswagen and Audi with the ability to transform your mild mannered diesel into a chest pounding street monster!”
Fuel prices have jumped this past week and a comment over at CinciTDI has me wondering if this is a short term trend or if it will continue into spring and summer. Psychologically, I’m finding my own personal limits are being challenged again, although I’ve come to accepted $2.50 for ULSD or biodiesel. (maybe it just the 20 or 30 cent swings?) Today I paid $2.69 for B-20 … Grr! I suspect most middle American’s have about a $3.00/gallon trigger point — what is yours and where do you see fuel prices going from here?
I’ve been signed up, but not been offered a beta of the Slingplayer Palm OS software to install on my Palm Treo 700p … would like to give it a try though. For those of you unfamiliar with the Slingbox/SlingPlayer, its a hardware device that plugs into your computer network and broadcast your television signal to devices on the network or over the internet. (July 2005 post) It works impressively well and I use it regularly to check on breaking news or local television when traveling. A good wifi hotspot or solid hotel connection is a must for consistent connections and quality picture, but it even works well using the Sprint EVDO network on my notebook computer. I have found that it will play audio only over a non-EVDO cellphone connection without a problem. I have occasionally used it that way when driving and wanting to tune into something on TV. (if you do this often and are only listening to CNN, CNBC, FoxNews, etc … I would recommend a XM/Sirius radio, but it works well over a cellphone data connection just the same)
Matt Whitlock uploaded a short video demonstration of the Palm OS Slingplayer in action.
According to the Treehugger website, the Discovery Channel will air a FutureCar episode on Wednesday, February 28th … it might be worth recording. One of the cars worth considering is the Opel Eco Speedster. Its a concept car, but shows just was a sleek high performance diesel is capable of doing. The powerplant is a small 1.3-liter EcoTech CDTI, but the Eco Speedster tops out at 155 mph. That’s impressive, but what I really find impressive is that it achieved an average fuel economy of 113 mpg over a 24-hour road test. What makes this possible is a low weight (660 kg/1,445 lbs) and minimal drag, mid-engine design, and a 5-speed automatic transmission … and I repeat … CDTI diesel.
Earthrace, a unique 78 foot biodiesel powered wave-piercing trimaran, is at the starting line in Port Charles, Barbados. The sponsored project is looking to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat, and intend to do it on renewable fuel.
Hey that’s my car! 
The rain has been coming down and it almost looks like spring is here in southwestern Ohio. Yesterday I soaked my leather seats tossing the umbrella in the rear door as I made a quick escape from the cold rain, so when I read an 
