Leopold von Bayern cuts CO2 at Kilomètre Lancé

With a six-cylinder, but also with synthetic fuels, Leopold von Bayern will start in the Kilomètre Lancé in the Int. St-Moritzer Automobilwoche early September. “The problem is not so much the internal combustion engine,” he says, “but what powers it.”

The Kilomètre Lancé (2-4 September) is one of many events making up a busy schedule at the Int. St-Moritzer Automobilwoche (2 – 11 September) in Switzerland. It is a traditional drag race, held at the St Moritz airport.

“Not only EVs”

This year, prince Leopold von Bayern will make his presence noted, and not just because he chooses a rather gorgeous BMW 3.0 CSL as his choice of wheels for the drag race. Together with the Royal Bobsleigh Automobil Club, von Bayern pushes the Tech Open project. “We want to show there are more mobility alternatives than just battery-powered vehicles and fuel cells,” he explains. “Synthetic fuels are interesting just the same.”

The big plus with more eco-friendly fuels is that you can rely on existing and proven technology. The synthetic fuel from the Tech Open project holds the power level of the 3-litre six-inline in the BMW CSL on a fine 350 hp, whilst at the same time cutting CO2 levels by 22 per cent. The reduction in the emission of fine particles is even more spectacular: -50%.

‘Blitzenbenz’

Next to that, Kilomètre Lancé-organiser Solitude GmbH has also announced the venue of an extraordinary supercar for the event. We will see a 1909 ‘Blitzenbenz’ in action on the airfield as well, which promises to be a big reason to come to Switzerland.

The recreation of the kilometre run from a standing start honours an old tradition at St Moritz, where already around 1929 speed trials were held on the nearby Shell street. We will have more on ISAW as the programs are disclosed. A couple of interesting new rallies are certainly a good motivator to come to St Moritz in September.