(pressebox) Weiterstadt, 25.03.2009, "Full speed ahead" is HEICO SPORTIV’s motto for the coming motorsports year. New partners and a much improved Volvo C30 T5 are promising ingredients for a successful 2009 season. Premiere at the Auto Mobil International (AMI) trade fair in Leipzig.
Since 2007, Volvo tuner HEICO SPORTIV has been recognized as a pioneer for using alternative fuels in motorsports. Two class triumphs during the Deutsche Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring (VLN) – Germany’s long distance championship at the legendary Nürburgring – are proof bioethanol’s potential in motorsports.
In 2009, HEICO SPORTIV will continue to lead the way and will again approach the starting line with bioethanol in its tanks, as an alternative to fossil fuel. "Due to amendments in the regulations, the Alternative Fuels class no longer exists. As a result, we’ll have to prevail against tough competition in the turbo class this year," explains HEICO SPORTIV team leader Andreas Hoffmann.
New partners for HEICO SPORTIV
This is an ambitious goal additionally supported by CropEnergies, a subsidiary of sugar manufacturer, Südzucker: CropEnergies is one of Europe’s preeminent producers of bioethanol and a new HEICO SPORTIV racing partner. With its quality fuel, CropPower85, CropEnergies is the #1 supplier of E85 on the German market. E85 is a bioethanol-gasoline mixture containing up to 86% bioethanol. "Through the cooperation with HEICO SPORTIV, we want to demonstrate that bioethanol from replenishable raw materials is not only a climate-friendly, but also a very highperformance fuel. We hope that the joint venture will raise consumer awareness for CropPower85 and help propagate this attractive alter-native to fossil fuel," says Dr. Marten Keil, Director Business Development & Communication, about the cooperation with HEICO SPORTIV.
A further strong partner is newly acquired Pirelli. "I’m personally delighted about the new partnership with HEICO SPORTIV as our two companies have a lot of common ground," explains Michael Borchert, Director Marketing & Sales at Pirelli Germany. "Both HEICO SPORTIV and Pirelli combine top performance with maximum safety and are convinced that sportiness and ecological friendliness are not necessarily mutually exclusive."
The third new partner is IT service provider, KOGIT, from Darmstadt. Furthermore, the "Project GREEN RACING" is also sponsored by the Basler Versicherung insurance group, component manufacturer Eibach Federn of the Volvo Auto Bank as well as other system partners in the Volvo domain. The "HEICO HS3 Bioethanol", based on the Volvo C30 T5, will be maneuvered by a trio of HEICO SPORTIV staff in a team constellation which has existed since 2004: Patrick Brenndörfer (Public Affairs), Frank Eickholt (Product Development) and Martin Müller (Product Development) will be at the wheel.
Ongoing vehicle development
With its class victory at the "33rd DMV Münsterlandpokal" 4-hour race at the Nürburgring last October, HEICO SPORTIV already marked out its territory. Nevertheless, the numerous improvements implemented in the meantime are set to make the Volvo C30 an even swifter racer. Although the 2.4 liter, 5-cylinder turbo engine had to be retuned due to new regulations, it still manages to squeeze out a further 10 bhp, despite the prescribed air restrictor! In addition to this, the consumption of the ethanol engine was also optimized, resulting in approximately 8% improved efficiency. And last but not least, the non-slip transmission of the 350 bhp and 530 Nm torque is provided for by a newly designed differential lock.
Efficient aerodynamics
The most extensive alteration is the overhauled HEICO SPORTIV body kit. To accommodate the wider Pirelli tires, the HEICO HS3 has grown 40mm wider, and the front and rear skirts were redesigned. The aerodynamics packet is rounded off by the wind tunnel-optimized underbody cladding of the Volvo C30 DRIVe model.
Premiere at the AMI in Leipzig
The HEICO HS3 will be celebrating its premiere at the Pirelli Germany stand in Hall 4 (March 28 – April 5, 2009). The goal for 2009 is clearly defined: HEICO SPORTIV is aspiring to become the first bioethanol-driven class winner of the world-famous 24-hour race at the Nürburgring (May 21-24, 2009).Über HEICO SPORTIV GmbH & Co. KG
HEICO SPORTIV is the world’s preeminent supplier of exclusive Volvo accessories and based in Weiterstadt near Frankfurt, Germany. It is officially “Recommended by Volvo Car Germany”, “Recommended by Volvo Car Switzerland” and “Recommended by Volvo Cars Overseas Corporation”. Distribution is handled worldwide by contractual partners and in Germany via the Volvo dealership network. Further information can be found at www.heicosportiv.de/media.
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