IRL testing new fuel blend for 2006

Buddy Rice and Bryan Herta will test a new ethanol-blend fuel next week that will be used by the Indy Racing League next season.

The IRL will use a blend of 90 percent methanol and 10 percent ethanol, an alcohol created by distilling grain mash, usually from corn. In 2007, the cars will go to 100 percent ethanol, which is cleaner burning and more fuel efficient.

Rice, a former Indianapolis 500 winner who drives for Rahal Letterman Racing, and Herta, a member of the Andretti Green Racing team, will conduct the first on-track test of the ethanol blend on Wednesday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The IndyCar Series has used methanol fuel since the late 1960s, AP reports.

А. А.