The race track has long been an attractive test bed for street car technology. Forced-induction system, fuel injection, tire construction and even the rear view mirror were innovated through competition. Controlled but public arenas, the race track seems like the perfect proving grounds for hybrid technology. Several automakers have recognized the closed circuit combat as the chance to further gasoline-electric hybrid by educating the public as well as advancing the technology. In the mid 1990s, Chrysler toyed entering a hybrid vehicle called the Patriot into the 24 Hour of Le Mans. While the Chrysler Patriot never made it into competition, sports car magnate Don Panoz did attempt the feat in 1997 but failed to qualify into the Le Mans field. Most recently, Peugeot and Zytec launched hybrid race cars in the prototype class of sports car racing with limited race success.
Becoming one of the first car companies to  … Pictures & More