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Racing Team Goes Green for 2009 Dakar Rally |
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FAIRFIELD, IOWA, Aug. 27 -/E-Wire/--
The 2009 Dakar Rally, the largest off-road rally race in the world, attracts thousands of competitors worldwide with the sole mission of winning the prestigious and grueling 15-day race. There is one team, however, with an additional goal in mind- They want to talk about sustainability.
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The Kenya Kwanza(which means "first" in Kiswahili.) team of Glen Edmunds, a two-time Safari Rally champion driver, and Ex-Navy Seal and navigator Troy Van Beek, seeks to not only win the cup, but also to raise awareness about climate change and sustainability. "…we need to remain socially responsible in all aspects of what we do," says Mr. Van Beek, "even in the racing industry."
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The Racing Industry has been slow to embrace sustainability, but the planet-friendly trend is rapidly gaining more popularity. New technologies, alternative fuels, and carbon neutrality are just some practices seeping their way into the world of racing. In the last few years we’ve seen Formula One, the Indy Racing League, and other racing series making the effort to lower their environmental impact, according to The Phoenix, a Boston-based newsweekly. Team Kenya Kwanza hopes to take the trend on to the next level. "This year we are running our race on sustainable renewable biodiesel," Says Mr. Van Beek, "and we are also looking to move this race as close as we can to carbon net zero."
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Some have said the negative environmental impacts from car racing are negligible. According to the Phoenix, out of the 6 billion tons of carbon emitted each year, only 2 million comes from car racing. However, the racing industry’s large fan base and the Dakar Rally’s worldwide prestige may prove to be a fruitful platform to talk about sustainability with an audience who is not commonly exposed to it.
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In their first successful partnership Team Kwanza is partnering with ENN, The Environmental News Network, which has committed to help cover the team’s progress towards their goals and provide free environmental press services for the team and their sponsors.
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The 2009 Dakar Rally will take place January 3rd to the 18th in Argentina and Chile.
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To find out more the Kenya Kwanza team, please visit
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www.glenedmunds.com/kenya-kwanza.html
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To find out more about the 2009 Dakar please visit
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www.dakar.com/
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To find out more about The Environmental News Network please visit
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www.enn.com
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Contact Info: Troy Van Beek
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Tidal Wave Group
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troyvanbeek@gmail.com
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(641) 919 2269
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Lawrence Norton
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Environmental News Network
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www.enn.com
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641 472 2790
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Glen Edmunds Performance Driving School
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Phone/Fax: +254 (20) 609737/8
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kim@performance.co.ke
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Website : www.glenedmunds.com
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