Local Firm's Vehicle Set to Compete in Pike's Peak Race.

A Chula Vista-based company announced its environmentally friendly racing fuel turned in a solid performance in an off-road race.

BAT International, Inc. said June 19 a car run on racing fuel made by its partially owned subsidiary, Dolphin Automobile Co., Inc., also in Chula Vista, turned in the fastest time of the practice runs in this year's Pike's Peak Hill Climb at Pike's Peak, near Colorado Springs, Cob.

It follows a June 11 announcement from BAT that Dolphin had signed a long-term contract with Millennium Fuels Corp. to supply its additive package for Millennium's new high-performance ethanol-based racing fuel for its Legends Car Series races.

During the Pike's Peak Hill Climb, the BAT International-sponsored race car scored the best practice run time on the top half of the mountain -- said to be the most difficult and dangerous portion of the race. The SuperBAT was running on Dolphin's new ethanol-based fuel, said Bill Wason, a spokesman for BAT.

The Pike's Peak Hill Climb -- the second oldest automobile race in the United States, behind the Indy 500 -- is said to be one of the most dangerous races in the world. The climb is up one of the highest mountains in the United States on a dirt road through 152 switchback turns with no guardrails to protect skidding racing vehicles, which often reach speeds of 125 mph. he said.

BAT began using racing vehicles for engine and alternative fuel research, and also to increase public awareness about its products. The company runs in several races each year including the Pike's Peak race, Wason said.

He added the racing team is excited about the successful results of the trial runs and is eager to compete June 30 at the 2001 Pike's Peak Hill Climb, he said.