The purpose of the European promotional tour is to promote the awareness and use of alternative fuels such as biodiesel. During each stopover the public will have chance to meet the crew and step aboard Earthrace itself.

Earthrace is currently one of the most high profile powerboats in the world, as well as one of the greenest. It is a showcase of environmentally friendly technologies, including low emission engines, non-toxic antifoul and efficient hull design, and is run on 100% biodiesel (B100).

Earthrace is ultimately seeking to break the official UIM world record for circumnavigation of the globe by a powerboat. The present record is 75 days, set in 1998 by the British powerboat Cable & Wireless. At over 24,000 nautical miles, a circumnavigation of the globe is the world's longest race and represents the pinnacle of powerboat challenges. Earthrace's quest marks the first time in history that an official UIM Powerboat record will be attempted using only renewable fuels.

Earthrace will begin its record attempt in March 2008, and its skipper Pete Bethune believes the boat has a realistic chance of completing the circumnavigation in 65 days or less. Bethune said, 'Smashing the record by 10 days or more is certainly feasible, although we will still be popping champagne corks if we make it in 74 and a half days.'

Bethune believes Earthrace has a great opportunity to nourish and grow the European biodiesel industry, as well as to advance biodiesel as a genuinely viable alternative to petroleum diesel.

He continued, 'The vision of a world using fuel produced from sustainable sources is an idea whose time has come. By demonstrating the power, reliability and environmental safety of biodiesel, Earthrace is committed to transforming this vision into reality.'

For further information visit www.earthrace.net