Sustainable fuel: A year in pictures

From podium positions in the Dakar Rally to record-breaking speeds at Coniston Waters, sustainable fuel has powered a range of milestone moments in 2023.

Offering significant greenhouse gas savings when compared to traditional fossil fuels, and compatible with our current fleet and forecourts, sustainable fuel has been gaining followers throughout the motoring and motorsport sectors for some time. And, as it continues to hit the headlines for its power and performance, interest continues to grow.

The company behind many of 2023’s success stories is bespoke fuel specialist Coryton. Following decades of research, and with a global network of expertise, it launched its dedicated SUSTAIN brand in 2021.

SUSTAIN uses advanced second-generation biofuel manufactured from agricultural waste, such as straw, by-products or waste from crops which wouldn’t be used for consumption.

By doing so, the fuel utilises the carbon that already exists in our atmosphere, which the plants absorb as they grow, recycling it, rather than releasing additional CO₂ that is currently locked underground in fossil fuel.

January

Using a bespoke blend of sustainable fuel from Coryton, Bahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX)’s Sébastien Loeb and Fabian Lurquin took second place at Dakar 2023 and set a new record in the process.

Driving through gruelling desert conditions in a Prodrive Hunter, Loeb and Lurquin delivered an exceptional performance to claim their final position. From tipped vehicles to tyre punctures, they overcame a range of obstacles and went on to secure six successive stage victories, a new record for the Dakar Rally.

May

Coryton and Ecomaxx helped fuel a greener future for The Tulip Rally, the Netherlands’ oldest rally event. A group of fifteen classic cars, named ‘The Green Tulips’, took part on the last 300km leg of the rally (from Luxemburg to Valkenburg) fuelled with Ecomaxx Classic Car Fuel, made from sustainable sources in partnership with SUSTAIN by Coryton.

June

SUSTAIN and HERO-ERA teamed up to sustainably fuel the HERO-ERA Rally for the Ages. Classic car motorists competing in the event were invited to complete the course on a specially formulated fuel, which was used by 70 different vehicles in total.

June

SUSTAIN Classic was launched as the UK’s first publicly available sustainable petrol on sale to the public, designed specifically for classic vehicles.

June

Mazda UK switched its Heritage Fleet to run on sustainable petrol. Highlighting the role sustainable fuel can play in de-carbonising classic cars – the 15-car Mazda UK Heritage Fleet is now filled with SUSTAIN Classic Super 80 supplied by Coryton, each time the cars are driven or loaned to media.

July

A Bentley Bentayga EWB (Extended Wheelbase) established a new towing record on the famous Goodwood Hillclimb, powered by SUSTAIN fuel. The climb was completed in 1 minute 21 seconds, towing 2.5 tonnes of straw – enough to make 1,100 miles-worth of fuel.

August

The Mini Spares Fastest Mini in the World race celebrated its 29^th year of racing by announcing that the grid would run on SUSTAIN Classic fuel. Held at Brands Hatch, the race has four classes and hosts a wide of classic racing power units.

October

A Ford KA taking part in EnduraKA used SUSTAIN Classic 80 to complete the 500-minute long last leg of the endurance series, the IndyKA500.

October

Tony Jardine and ex M-Sport WRC Coordinator Iain Tullie competed in the Carlisle Stages Rally, 20-21 October, as the only bio-fuelled entry out of 130 cars. This event signalled the start of a full Coryton SUSTAIN Classic bio-fuelled programme for Jardine, following a successful test at the Trackrod Rally in September.

November

Coniston Cox Marine set two new speed records (subject to ratification) at the 51^st annual Coniston Powerboat Records Week using 100% sustainable fuel from SUSTAIN Racing.

The records*, for fastest Diesel Outboard British Speed and fastest Diesel Outboard World Speed, saw skipper Adam Brown reach a staggering 67.95mph on Coniston Water with a CXO300 engine. This was over 5 mph faster than Cox Marine’s previous 2022 record of 62.84mph, also set by Adam.

To find out more about Coryton’s publicly available sustainable fuel, SUSTAIN Classic, visit sustainclassic.com.