E85 Dodge Viper Sets Speed Record

Tech entrepreneur Karl Jacob's modified Dodge Viper, fueled by an E85 ethanol/gasoline blend, clocked 220.7 mph in the standing mile, breaking the previous mark of 217.85 held by a gas-powered street car.

The E85 Viper set the record at Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport here. The record run and previous attempts are chronicled by Jacob and his team at the E85 Viper Web site.

"Going green does not have to mean going slow," said Jacob. "We built this car to break the world speed record and bring attention to the importance of renewable fuels. As we've demonstrated, E85 enables us to go green and go fast."

Extensive performance-oriented modifications to the car were performed by Chicago-based SVS, which specializes in electronic engine management. The biggest change was the addition of side-mounted twin turbochargers, as well as new brakes and exhaust system. SVS also changed the gauges and added a head-up display.

Jacob, who heads a tech startup called Wallop, is a member of the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition