Rising from the ashes of it first attempt, Earthrace has smashed the world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the globe by speedboat. The biodiesel-powered trimaran sailed into the Spanish port of Sagunto yesterday, just shy of 61 days since it set off. That took 14 days off the previous world record. Earthrace traveled the 24,000 nautical miles fueled by biodiesel to demonstrate the efficiency of alternative fuel sources.
(more…)

This would be great if they would pass the savings on to us, but I’m sure it will just mean more profit from a diesel car. Anyway, from nationalpost.com

In the precious metals universe, high gold and silver prices get the most attention. But the star performer in the sector is probably platinum - prices are up well over 50% in the last year because of power shortages in South Africa, the world’s biggest producer.
(more…)

LAS VEGAS, May 13 /PRNewswire/ — When consumers understand the advantages of today’s clean diesel power, it turns conventional thinking about diesel on its head, explained Gale Banks, chief executive officer of Gale Banks Engineering, and a featured speaker at the Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo. The conference runs through Wednesday, May 14, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel.

“With clean diesel power, drivers can have approximately 30 percent better fuel economy and 50 percent more torque, as well as reduce emissions by up to 25 percent, when compared to gasoline-powered passenger car engines. With clean diesel no longer are fuel economy and performance mutually exclusive,” Banks said.
(more…)

I found this video on TDIClub.com and had to share it with everyone. Fifth Gear takes a bone stock AUTOMATIC diesel Golf and straps on a nitrous kit to see just how effective it can be. The results are pretty incredible.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. and TOPEKA, Kan., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Volkswagen of America and SCCA Pro Racing have announced the eight dates comprising the 2008 schedule of the new Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race series.

In this installment it goes into more of the racing of diesel. How it can win races because of its fuel economy and how Gale Banks is trying to turn diesel into the “cool” thing. In the end he talks about the basics of do-it-yourself upgrades and how they can be beneficial which I’m sure anyone reading this already knows. Again I wish they wouldn’t mute out all the engine sounds, but it’s still great that such a popular site is doing this series.

By concept, the new Audi A4 is already a dynamic, exciting and powerful car – and therefore this new sedan car made in Ingolstadt offers a perfect starting point for the engineers and designers with Abt Sportsline. With the AS4, the world’s leading tuner of cars from the Volkswagen group succeeded in creating a car which is in every respect harmonic and sporty, as well as elegant: the front skirt, which emphasizes the distinctive headlight area, makes the AS4 look very dynamic and self-confident. Side skirts and fender inlets meet the sporty design and harmonize perfectly with the rear section of the car; the 4-pipe rear muffler, the rear skirt inlet and the rear spoiler form a perfect unit.

Diesel meets pop culture. One of my favorite blogs to read, BoingBoing, is starting a series covering the greener way of racing starring the Banks Sidewinder. If you like diesel, and somehow don’t know about the Sidewinder already, it’s a 650hp / 800ft-lbs Duramax powered GMC truck that can run at 5000rpms! Watch the video to learn more.

From The Press Association(UK)

Britain’s reigning two-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx has questioned the actions of the sport’s rulemakers ahead of the title-deciding season finale in Macau this weekend.

BMW driver Priaulx heads to the Far East level on points with SEAT’s Yvan Muller, who has come from a long way back to be tied with the Guernseyman on 81 points after changing his engine mid-season.

- Dindo Capello/Allan McNish win at Laguna Seca
- Mike Rockenfeller and Marco Werner finish third
- 13th outright victory for the Audi R10 TDI

In the finale of the American Le Mans Series at Laguna Seca (US state of California), Team Audi Sport North America has once again given impressive proof of the performance of Audi TDI Power. With the Diesel technology which is set to enter the US market for road cars in 2008, Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland) were able to beat the best Porsche in a photo finish. Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) and Marco Werner (Germany) completed Audi’s triumph in the final race of the season with a third place finish.