Sunday with Senator Lugar

This past Sunday afternoon, the members of the BITW Technologies team had a special opportunity. We had a meeting with U.S. Senator Richard Lugar. He wanted to talk to us about what we have done with the vehicle since the Progressive Automotive X-Prize. We were excited about the fact that a U.S. Senator wanted to meet with us. During the previous week we planned our meeting by putting together data from our past for a power point presentation and putting some ideas about how the Diesel Engine Technology can be a valuable component in a practical energy policy.

As of today, there is no domestic automobile manufacturer that is building Diesel cars. There are plenty Diesel trucks on the market, just no American made Diesel cars. Why is that? Government regulations make it too difficult for producers. That needs to change. VW Diesels are imported. They get 40 to 50 MPG. Diesel Engines are much cleaner than they were in the 70's. Why not adjust the EPA requirements to allow the US auto manufacturers into the Diesel game?

I will refrain from going on about the efficiency and power that Diesel engines are capable of. This is about our visit with Senator Lugar. He came after lunch and shook hands with the team members and talked with us about what we had done. We then sat down and Dan gave the power point presentation, briefing the Senator on our project and what we had done in the X-Prize and Green Grand Prix. Afterward, we talked about energy policy and why Diesel power is in danger of being removed from the American consumer. The current EPA regulations are causing engine manufacturers to drop small Diesel engines between 30 and 50 HP. That outcome will be disastrous for the power equipment and agriculture industries without reform.

Senator Lugar had a lot of good things to say about the project and that he was glad that he named BITW Technologies as a Lugar Energy Patriot back in Feb 2010.

The meeting was held at the Mister Hardware in Edwardsville that George manages. We want to thank Phil Gettlefinger for allowing us to meet there and for all of the help and support he has provided on the project.

A New Track

The VK under ice

Once more, spring is seemingly late in arrival and time spent testing and prepping the VK for the next event leaves one with a chill. So, what have we been doing, you might ask. We have been prepping the VK for an Eco Rally, the Green Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International road course. A Road Course!!!! We love these type of courses. It is literally like driving through the hills of Southern Indiana. The VK will be participating in the Doris Bovee Memorial Road Rally, which is an SCCA event. Watkins Glen is a great track with loads of history! This rally will be on the 2.45 mile road course, which is the same used by the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. It will be lots of fun.

The team has picked up some new sponsors. We look forward to unveiling the latest sponsors logos just before the race. Who are they??? Well, a hint would be one is an Indiana based business that is well known for sponsoring large things. The other is a relative unknown that we hope will be known after the Rally! We still have our first sponsor on board, XS Power. We are using their latest technology in the VK. The BITW Technologies team really appreciates the staff at XS Power! Diesel USA Group is also giving us great tech support. Thank you Roger Lighter and Staff. We are still wearing shirts from Blue Cotton, Thanks Mike.

We will post more data about the event up to when the rally starts!

Diesel Power magazine will be covering the event, watch their blog after April 15.