Mazda Prototype Race Car Powered by Chicken Fat Video

Autobytel’s Editor-in-Chief, Michelle Naranjo, didn’t have to stray far to check out the Long Beach Grand Prix, but there were all kinds of surprises at the track when she arrived. One of the most unusual cars in attendance was from the Speedsource Mazda team. It is a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder race car prototype, which isn’t all that interesting on its own, but as race car driver David Haskell explains, this car’s power comes from an unexpected source. This Mazda features SKYACTIV-D diesel technology that is based on Mazda’s production cars, and even though it’s been adapted for racing, it’s also been modified for a more eco-friendly approach. The fuel used in this car can’t technically be called a biodiesel, but it is made from chicken fat and byproducts of chicken processing. This unusual fuel blend has proven to be reliable for the needs of racing. The engine currently yields about 400 horsepower, but it’s still being fine-tuned and the Speedsource team is confident that there is even more potential. The drivetrain in this SKYACTIV-D Mazda isn’t yet available in the United States, but the company hopes that it’ll help power some of Mazda’s Stateside vehicles sometime in the near future.