4.03.2006 ET

(CSRwire) Greenfield, MA--Participation in this year's Tour de Sol, America's number-one green car show and competition, is available to more people than ever before thanks to a new competition and new start sites around the country.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), organizer of the Tour de Sol, invites anyone who drives a hybrid or flex-fuel ethanol vehicle, or uses biodiesel in their diesel car or truck, to join the Monte Carlo-style Rally and the new Fuel Efficiency Competition. Entrants will drive to Saratoga Spa State Park, New York to arrive by Saturday, May 13. There, as part of the 18th annual Tour de Sol and the Saratoga Automobile Museum's Auto Show, they will join dozens of other advanced vehicle owners, students competing with one-of-a-kind vehicles, and auto companies exhibiting their latest hybrid, CNG, biofuel, and hydrogen vehicles.

The Monte Carlo-style rally rewards miles per gallon, not miles per hour. Trophies are given to those who participate in the Drive-In Rally. Cash prizes and trophies are offered to hybrid and modified hybrid drivers who participate in the 200-mile drive from the Saratoga Spa State Park to Cooperstown, NY and back on the Friday, May 12 and demonstrate the highest fuel efficiencies that are at least 40% greater than EPA estimates for their vehicle.

"Since its inception in 1989, the Tour de Sol has been promoting fuel efficient, environmentally-friendly vehicles," said James Dunn, of the Center for Technology Commercialization, sponsor of the Monte Carlo-style Rally. "We are thrilled to offer this new competition so that hybrid and biofuel vehicle owners who understand the value of fuel efficiency can participate in the Tour de Sol."

People wishing to participate in the Monte Carlo-style Rally and Fuel Efficiency Competition can start at one of the official start sites including:

Balcones European Motors, Austin, TX
Cherry Run Automotive, Greenfield, MA
D.A.D.'s Auto, Beresfprd, SD
Gebbe's Auto Care, Lansdale, PA
Haney Tire and Auto, West Plains, MO
Harriman Auto, Harriman, NY
Mastertech Automotive, Salt Lake City, UT
Pete's Import Garage, Atlanta, GA
Progressive Asset Management, Wellesley Hills, MA
Rad Air Complete Car Care, Cleveland, OH
Ricks' 36 Auto Service, Stillwater, MN
Scott's Automotive, Des Moines,
Slipstream Autocare, Boulder, CO
Stock's Underhood Spec., Belleville, IL
Tom's Master Mechanics, San Diego, CA
Toyota Clifton Park, Clifton Park, NY
United Auto Sales & Service, Waterbury, CT
Westboro Toyota, Westborough, MA

People who do not live within 50 miles of a start site may start from their home after registering and calling in to NESEA.

"Hybrid and biofuel vehicles are becoming increasingly popular because they can save consumers money at the gas pump and at the same time people feel good about the fact that they are helping reduce our country's dependence on foreign oil and climate change emissions, and improving the air we breathe," said Nancy Hazard, Director of the Tour de Sol. "The outcome of the competition will be really interesting as many hybrid owners boast from 60 to over 90 miles per gallon!"

Other competitions at the Tour de Sol showcase highway-worthy one-of-a-kind vehicles, and also e-bikes, scooters and neighborhood electric vehicles that offer zero emission transportation options for travel in neighborhoods, cities and towns.

Premier sponsors of the 2006 Tour de Sol are the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the Center for Technology Commercialization. Additional key sponsors include the New York Power Authority, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, Stewart's Shops, New York State Parks, Eastern Biofuels, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Toyota, the UK Trade & Investment, American Honda, Kurkoski Solar Electric, Westboro Toyota, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, E Magazine, EIN Publishing, and GreenBiz.com.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, organizer of the Tour de Sol, is the Northeast's leading organization of professionals and concerned citizens working in sustainable energy, and whole systems thinking. NESEA facilitates the widespread adoption and use of sustainable energy by providing support to industry professionals and by educating and motivating consumers to learn about, ask for and adopt sustainable energy and green building practices. NESEA accomplishes this through conferences, K-12 educational resources, its members and chapters, its Sustainable Yellow Pages, and public events.

For registration and further information on the Tour de Sol to www.nesea.org or www.TourdeSol.org or call 413-774-6051.

For more information please contact: