ZAP’s Alias all-electric automobile, driven by Al Unser Jr., has moved into the finals of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize event while riding on Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500 ultra-high performance tires.
The X Prize is a global contest being held at Michigan International Speedway that will award $10 million in prizes to teams that win a rigorous series of competitions for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed an energy equivalent of 100 miles per gallon.
ZAP’s Unser-piloted entry is among 15 cars from 13 teams that have survived from the original 142 competitors that entered the event.
Unser “insisted that he wanted Firestone” tires on the car, according to Gary Starr, ZAP’s founder and director of business development. “Al brings a lifetime of driving experience to the ZAP team along with a wealth of auto industry contacts,” he notes, adding that “the tires have been working very well for us.”
Starr and Unser worked with Bridgestone-Firestone engineers to select the appropriate tire for the competition. The Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500 was designed with a shallow tread depth (“skid”), while still maintaining desired performance, Starr says.
“This reduced skid offers maximum traction capability – giving the tire its ultra-high performance credentials,” he explains. “However, it also lowers the tire’s mass, and thus helps to reduce rolling resistance. Low rolling resistance helps increase fuel mileage, which is key to winning the X Prize.”
For more information, visit www.zapalias.wordpress.com, www.progressiveautoxprize.org and www.bridgestone-firestone.com.
