Interview: Allam Khodair’s efforts to make Stock Car greener
Not even fellow Nextel Cup Stock Car drivers knew that Allam Khodair of Boettger Competições (Chevrolet) is so determined in his efforts to preserve the environment. This tendency will invade the Stock Car tracks in 2008, as the category can now count on Allam to find ways of reducing carbon emission impact on the environment. The driver hopes to intensify his actions and serve as a role model for other drivers.
STOCK – For how long have you been concerned with the environment? How did you find out you could act on this concern?
KHODAIR – Nowadays, not only with what’s been going on but also with the volumes of information we have on the subject, it’s impossible to stay out of it. I started getting interested in reducing damage to the atmosphere last year. I read a few articles and found out that a friend who races motorcycles in Rally dos Sertões managed to adapt the engine and run on alcohol. He even won a Carbon Free seal from The Green Initiative, a non-profit organization whose goal is to contribute to the neutralization of greenhouse gases. That’s how I came up with the idea of trying the same thing with my car.
STOCK – But a race car cannot run on alcohol. What solution did you come up with?
KHODAIR – As impossible as it may be to transform the car to run on alcohol, I realized there are other ways of neutralizing or at least reducing carbon emissions in any given Stock Car round. I got in touch with The Green Initiative and we calculated how much CO2 we have to neutralize.
STOCK – How did you come up with a fixed number?
KHODAIR – With extensive research. We spent one month crunching numbers, filling out questionnaires that went back and forth numerous times, to get to the right value. We ran studies on tyre type and composition, how much fuel is used per race weekend, transport trucks. We took everything under consideration. Specialists came up with a final number and we found out how many trees would be necessary to neutralize the damage.
STOCK – And how many trees did you commit to plant?
KHODAIR – At the end of the 2007 season I will give back 56 trees in Mata Atlântica. That will be enough to combat a total of 11 tonnes of carbonic gas emitted in this period. That is equivalent to the volume of CO2 released by a 1.0 engine after 78 thousand kilometres, which corresponds to driving 2 times around the planet. Scary isn’t it?
STOCK – Other than reforesting, in what way can we contribute?
KHODAIR – The idea is not just to neutralize. With The Green Initiative I found out we can work on environmental awareness on and off the Stock Car tracks.
STOCK – How do you plan on raising public awareness?
KHODAIR – Next year we will only work with recycled and biodegradable materials for gift bags and autograph cards in the Stock Car rounds. We will try to show how it is possible to help the environment in your own home with simple tasks such as recycling, reducing water and energy consumption, trading a car for a bicycle etc.
STOCK – Is it possible to involve other Stock Car drivers?
KHODAIR – The drivers will have to do their share considering the greenhouse effect is very real. I believe this concern will affect the entire category. We have to take care of our planet for our children and grandchildren, and if everyone does their share, we will have a much healthier planet.
STOCK – Did you invest your own resources to begin with?
KHODAIR – Yes. We must first invest to then see the benefits, so in the last three rounds I am financing the project with the sponsors’ 2007 budget. As this is something that also benefits my partners, the project will be in the 2008 budget. Speaking of costs, people think it is expensive to invest in this, but considering the good we do and the added value to the companies involved in the public eye, it is a very small amount.
