The RAC staged the first ever ‘Green Grand Prix’ at Silverstone on Wednesday, 12 October 2011, with competitors driving the latest electric (EV), plug in hybrid and low emission (ICE) cars supplied by Peugeot, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Zytek and Delta in a series of challenges to establish the UK’s most energy efficient driver.

The winner and newly crowned RAC Green Grand Prix Champion was Scott Penny from Woking. Scott is an RAC Member and took part alongside media representatives and RAC colleagues. He was presented with a glass engraved trophy by Kerry Gazzard (RAC Sponsorship & PR Manager), a pair of tickets to the British Grand Prix 2012 and a works drive to take part in the RAC Future Car Challenge on Saturday, 5 November in the RAC entry vehicle. It was the first time that Scott had driven an alternative fuel car and he especially enjoyed his experience in the Delta E-4 Coupe – Scott normally drives a Mazda RX-8.

During the Green Grand Prix, each driver had to drive at 50mph at least twice during a lap; with a maximum speed of 70mph around the Stowe Circuit at Silverstone. Each participant then had sessions on eco driving simulators.

Driving economically doesn't have to be boring, as Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield of Green Car Reports said. "It's not about the car you're driving. It's about your brain. Today has proven that you don't have to drive like a little old lady in order to be fuel efficient. I'm a journalist and get to drive cars like this all the time, but some of the people here today have never set foot in a so-called eco-car. If someone who has never driven an alternative fuel car before can win the Green Grand Prix, it shows that education can help everyone change their driving and save money and fuel".

Kevin Jones, PR Manager at Peugeot UK, which was pleased to support the RAC Green Grand Prix event, echoed this. Jones said: "Today was about bringing awareness to cars of tomorrow that you can buy today, be it with the broad choice of an electric city car, the micro-hybrids with the latest Stop & Start System technology, advanced small-capacity, high-output HDi Diesel or petrol engines, or the quite amazing diesel-electric hybrid - which offers 200bhp, four-wheel drive, 74mpg and CO2 from 99g/km and in a family-sized Crossover body style. Peugeot's philosophy is about giving customers the widest choice which can even extend to the rental mobility with 'Mu by Peugeot' available in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow."