The Great American Race

By Mark Forsythe The Kansas City Post The Automotive X Prize. A yet to be determined cash prize for a team that can win a long-distance race with a production-ready vehicle that exceeds the equivalent of 100 MPG and meets specified maximum emissions criteria. This is a highly anticipated contest by both environmentalists and techno-geeks alike. I happen to fall in both categories. The AXP states their main goal is "To inspire a new generation of viable, super-efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change." Pretty lofty goal, but a similar contest already inspired a private consortium to put a man in space. If we can reach outer space I think we can reach 100 MPG. 31 teams have already signed up for a contest that has yet to define the exact criteria or give the amount of the prize. Rumor has it an additional 300 teams have inquired about entering. That's the kind of excitement this contest is generating. So what does all this have to do with Kansas City? They haven't determined the race route yet. From an August 1st press release: The competition is expected to travel through multiple cities while broadcast to a global audience in 2009 and 2010, building consumer demand for vehicles in the competition and demonstrating many practical, clean and affordable vehicle options. Cities involved in the competition route have not yet been chosen. Another chance to showcase Kansas City! The mid-way point of a cross-country race. Television. A world audience. Why not? This shouldn't cost any money. No TIF. No tax abatement. We shouldn't even have to resurface the streets like we would have to for my American Le Mans Series idea. So here's your chance loyal Post readers! Let's start an email campaign to make sure the AXP will Consider Kansas City™. I don't want to post individuals' email addresses but I will post a link to the Automotive X PRIZE management team so you can email them yourselves. Don't want to go to that much work? Just click here and send to their info address. Use your own words. Sell them on Kansas City. Just let them know we want to see those vehicles come through KC. Contact your council representatives and the mayor's office. Maybe an elected official extending an invitation to the AXP will carry a little more weight. We have nothing to lose, except maybe our dependence on the internal combustion engine.