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MODERN-DAY ADVENTURER TOM HOLM KICKS OFF WORLD RECORD SETTING DRIVE FROM HUNTINGTON BEACH, FRIDAY, MARCH 10TH:
Coast-to-Coast and Back Using Cooking Oil as Fuel accompanied
by an E85 FlexFuel Chevrolet Tahoe
Huntington Beach, CA--Rudolf Diesel had it right when he designed
the engine of his namesake to run on peanut oil, not petroleum, in
1897. Tom Holm is a modern day adventurer who plans to see how
practical it will be to use Diesel’s original 19th
century fuel in a 21st century vehicle. Beginning March
10th, Holm will drive his 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup
truck, powered by a Duramax diesel engine, coast-to-coast and back
again using nothing but P-100 (100% plant oils) as fuel. In doing
so, Holm hopes to bring attention to this American-grown and
readily-available fuel source and set a Guinness World record. Holm
will arrive at the Arizona State Capitol, 1700
W. Washington,
in front of the State Senate, Saturday, March 11th at 10
a.m. and be available for interviews. He will be joined by
Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman and members of the Gilbert Future Farmers
of America (FFA). Holm’s web site:
www.adventurehighway.com Contact Holm through his publicist,
Carole Bartholomeaux, 602 404 8018,
www.b-pr.com .
“For the past year or so, I’ve heard of
guys looting restaurant grease traps to fill their diesel tanks, and
then driving worry-free.” Holm explained. “Well, we’re going to see
once and for all if this is true or just an urban legend.”
Holm’s quest begins March 10th
with his rear tires over the
Pacific Ocean at the Huntington Beach Pier. His journey will take
him east until his front tires are submerged in the Atlantic Ocean at
Coney Island near New York City. On a trial run, Holm drove the
truck from Springfield, MO to Ventura, CA using petroleum diesel for
half the trip and P-100 for the other half. “The truck ran great on
both fuel sources, so we expect the cross-country trip to be a
success. We also expect to uncover simple ways of increasing our
fuel-efficiency to more than 30 mpg using P-100. Not bad for a
monster truck,” Holm said.
Holm will be accompanied on his journey
by a Chevrolet Tahoe running on E85. E85
FlexFuel vehicles can run on any combination of gasoline and/or E85,
a fuel blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. E85 can
contribute to energy independence because it diversifies the source
of transportation fuels beyond petroleum, and it provides positive
environmental benefits in the form of reduced greenhouse gas
emissions.
“GM is pursuing gasoline-savings
solutions on many fronts on the way to our ultimate vision of
hydrogen fuel cell-powered transportation,” said Elizabeth Lowery,
GM vice president of environment and energy. “E85 ethanol burns
cleaner than gasoline and is a renewable, domestic fuel that can
enhance the nation’s economy and energy security.”
The cross-country trip will journey
from Phoenix to Albuquerque, Springfield and St. Louis, MO,
Columbus, OH, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Philadelphia, and
finally to New York City.
However, the trip does not end there.
Holm will travel more than 30,000 miles
in 2006, with the faint smell of French Fries coming out his
tailpipe. That is, if P-100 really works.
“We’ll run our truck on highways,
racetracks and dirt roads,” Holm continued. “During our journey, we
will have mechanics, technicians and scientists checking our
horsepower, emissions and fuel-efficiency. They will also check for
engine wear and buildup. We’re going to take a very analytical
approach to the effectiveness or failure of using cooking oils as a
viable fuel source.”
“I have no political or commercial
agenda. I’m simply looking into a possible solution to
America’s dependency on foreign fuels, seeking a way to decrease
harmful vehicle emissions and equally important, support America’s
farmers. I would love to meet with farmers along the route,” Holm
concluded.
Holm’s truck has been equipped with a system
that increases its ability to use P-100. Designed and installed by
Charles Anderson of Golden Fuel Systems (formerly Greasel Conversion
Systems), a company Anderson founded four years ago, the system
simply heats the “cooking oil” to increase its viscosity before it
goes into the engine. This makes the fuel flow more easily through
fuel lines, injectors and the motor. The Golden Fuel System
equipment is easy to install on most diesel-powered vehicles and
costs about $2,000.
Anderson claims to have driven his own diesel truck more than 60,000
miles on 100% straight plant oil fuel.
In order to verify that Holm
transverses the
United States without secretly filling up on petroleum diesel, his
fuel tank will be sealed. The only people able to open it will be
key-yielding dignitaries such as Mayor Berman who will provide Holm
access to the tank when fuel runs low. Additionally, an impartial
journalist will supervise Holm’s journey, “riding shotgun” from sea
to shining sea and back again. The petroleum-free trip will also be
documented on film. The trip is supported by nuVision Financial
Federal Credit Union (800.444.6327)
which will provide funding and a list of fee free ATM’s for Holm to
access on his trek across America. The custom Chevy “dually” (dual
rear wheels) pickup truck that Holm will drive has been upgraded
with a variety of remarkable products. The following page lists
companies that provided these products to Holm and the names of the
products.
The P-100 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 4x4 Dually
Engine / Power Modifications:
General Motors
(www.gm.com):
2005 Duramax 6600 Turbo Diesel.
Golden Fuel Systems
(www.greasel.com):
Fuel Conversion kit (Diesel and P-100)
Bully Dog
Technologies
(www.bulldog.com)
: Computer Reprogrammer, Engine Intake
“Outlook” Performance Gauge
MBRP
(www.mbrp.com):
Exhaust System
Fabtech Suspension Custom 6”
Suspension lift
(www.fabtechmotorsports.com):
Transfer Flow
(www.transferflow.com):
Auxiliary Fuel Tanks System & Gauge
Optima Batteries
(www.optimabatteries.com):
Performance Batteries
APE Wraps
(www.apewraps.com):
Graphic Design, Printing and Installation
Avery Graphics
(www.averygraphics.com):
Vinyl used for vehicle graphics.
Reunel
Manufacturing:
(www.reunel.com):
Hand polished stainless steel bumpers.
Warn
(www.warn.com):
Winches: Front 16.5 lb. Rear
12.5 lb.
PIAA Lights
(www.piaa.com):
Aftermarket Lights
Reese Hitch
(www.reeseprod.com):
18,000 lb removable 5th-wheel hitch.
Line-X Bedliner
(www.line-x.com):
Spray-on bedliner
Highway Products
Aluminum Cab Guard
with Auxiliary Lights
(www.highwayproducts.com):
AMP Research
(www.amp-research.com):
“Power Step” retractable running boards
Hambek Customs
(www.hambekcustoms.com):
Custom Hood and Fender Flairs
MHT Wheels
(www.mhtwheelscom):
Foose Spank Dually Wheels
BF Goodrich
(www.bfgoodrichtires.com):
33” All Terrain Tires
Katzkin Leather
(www.katzkin.com):
Custom Leather Interior
Sony Electronics
(www.xplodsony.com):
Amplifiers/Speakers/Receivers/DVD Player
Phantom Electronics
Custom installation of electronics
(www.phantomelectronics.com):
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