JUNE 15, 2015

MARTINEZ, CA – CLP Motorsports LLC, the Bay Area’s premier performance shop, and Neste, the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel, announced today it has joined forces and invited four-time X Games gold medal winner, three-time U.S. Rallycross champion and two-time Formula Drift champion, Tanner Foust, to complete a drive from the Atlantic Coast of Florida to the Pacific Coast of California on just a one tank of NEXBTL renewable diesel.

“Americans have a long tradition of taking cross-country road trips, sometimes aiming for speed records, sometimes just making a leisurely jaunt. One team is taking a different approach to this long-distance challenge: drive coast-to-coast on one tank of fuel that is made of completely bio-based raw materials. We believe this may be a first time for this type of trip”, said Kaisa Hietala, Executive VP, Renewable Products at Neste.

“What a great opportunity to be able to partner with Neste on this project so that we can help bring awareness to the public about what an amazing fuel their 100% bio-based NEXBTL renewable diesel is,” said CLP Motorsports Owner Pat O’Keefe.

O’Keefe came up with the Across USA concept after beginning distribution of NEXBTL in the California market in 2013. After seeing his fleet customers’ response to the high quality fuel, he wanted to actively bring awareness to the consumer market about this new, alternative fuel with a chemical structure identical to traditional diesel but made from renewable resources.

“Growing up in our family fuel distribution business, I’ve always been interested in fuel and racing. When a new fuel, particularly a clean burning fuel with engine boosting properties hits the market it immediately peaks my interest,” O’Keefe said. “I had the idea to partner my motorsports company with Neste fueling a street legal Superlite Coupe (SLC) Racecar using one tank of renewable diesel and driving it across the USA. Surely bringing the attention this fuel deserves.”

The journey starts out on June 21 and will take the team along Interstate 10, the fourth-longest transcontinental highway in the U.S. The over 2,400-mile long trip will go through eight US states, starting in Atlantic Beach, Florida, and ending on the Pacific Coast of Santa Monica, California, on June 26. Every mile being run on NEXBTL renewable diesel.

The Across the USA drive will team up with racecar and stunt driver Tanner Foust and CLP’s team of motorsports enthusiasts. Foust is a four-time X Games gold medal winner, three-time U.S. Rallycross champion and two-time Formula Drift and Global RallyCross champion. Joining Foust on the drive will be Pat O’Keefe, Vice President of Golden Gate Petroleum and owner of CLP Motorsports; Luke Lonberger, CLP Motorsports General Manager and experienced motorsports driver; and Michael von Disterlo, CLP Motorsports’ Lead Mechanic.

In support of the trip, CLP engineered and developed a SLC racecar with a custom Volkswagen 1.9-liter TDI diesel engine. The SLC has been built with the necessary aerodynamics for maximum efficiency at speed and enhanced with a monocoque chassis and fiberglass body. The result was a car that maintains all of its power and handling of a racecar, yet, is still street legal.

“I could not be more proud of the CLP Motorsports crew for working tirelessly through tremendous adversity getting the SLC ready for this epic journey.” said O’Keefe.

The car will be utilizing Neste’s NEXBTL renewable diesel, a premium low-carbon fuel made out of 100% renewable and sustainable raw materials. It is a clean and powerful renewable diesel, reducing emissions while increasing the car’s performance. NEXBTL renewable diesel meets the petroleum diesel specification (ASTM D975) for use in all diesel engines.

Golden Gate Petroleum, CLP Motorsports’ sister company, became one of the first US distributors for NEXBTL in early 2013, and has seen tremendous success with its customer base. Golden Gate Petroleum will be launching a next-generation fuel retail brand later this summer called NEXGEN Fuel, featuring the NEXBTL renewable diesel brand.