Susan Roush McClenaghan

Q: When did you get started with racing?

When I was very young Dad was just starting his Motorsports career. He began in drag racing in the mid 1960′s-70′s before his road race endeavors (1980′s-90′s) then NASCAR (1988-present). You could say I grew up at the drag races. I always had a love of classic cars and hot rods, but did not do anything competitive with cars until 1998 when I became a navigator in the cross country old car rally “The Great Race.” I was involved in that event for the next 10 years. In 2005, I made my first pass down the drag strip and would begin competing in the NMRA, NMCA and NHRA in 2006.

Q: How did you know you wanted to race professionally?

The racing is a natural extension of my day job (curator for the ROUSH Museum). I’ve managed the museum since 1988 and continue to work to preserve our company’s history and my father’s legacy in Motorsports. As far as drag racing goes, after a little time on the track I truly felt I could be good at it. I love cars and enjoy the opportunity the time at the races can offer to meet and get to know all kinds of people.

Q: What was your most memorable race & why?

There have been many wonderful moments that stand out in often very personal ways. NMCA’s final event for 2011 at Indianapolis was one of those incredible moments. We were second in points right up to the final race. The only way we were going to win the championship was to win the race. It was a very large field of cars which meant you had to go a lot of rounds to get to the final pair. We did just that and took the trophy. What is truly cool about this story is that my father entered a car in the 1971 NHRA nationals at Indianapolis and won his class. Forty years apart almost to the day.

Q: How is driving a propane-powered vehicle different from gasoline? What are the benefits from your point of view?

As far as the engine is concern it doesn’t know the difference. We’ve proven that during testing by running our engine on race gasoline then switching the fuel system to propane with no other changes to the engine. The results? The same performance was achieved with both fuels. This was really big and I wanted to make a statement with our racing. I wanted to prove we could win against very strong competition with a domestically produced alternative fuel. And we have! In the two full race seasons we’ve run on propane my teammate, Donnie Bowles, and I combined have captured two national championships, ten class wins and counting.

Back to our most recent weekend…

NMRA at Maryland International Raceway. Donnie and I fought our way through the ranks to end up squaring off in the finals. Though we’ve had to race each other before in earlier rounds this was the first time we’ve met in the finals. Two propane drag cars duking it out for the class win…the announcers had a ball.

More on Propane AutoGas and Susan’s Vehicle

Her car uses an all-aluminum 5.4L, V-8 Ford engine that was originally designed for the Ford GT supercar. This engine is naturally-aspirated with a 12.5:1 compression ratio. Several other changes were required to run on ordinary liquid propane, including CNC ported cylinder heads, high performance camshaft and valve train, and a wet sump lubrication system, all of which helps these liquid propane-power engines to generate in excess of 750 horsepower.

Propane is very safe to use as a motor fuel and has a significantly lower flammability than gasoline. It is also good in cool or hot weather making it ideal for motorsports applications. Propane is the third most popular motor fuel (behind gasoline and diesel), and there are already more than 12 million propane-fueled vehicles on roads across the world. As a green fuel, on average propane fleet vehicles reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 19% and create 20% fewer nitrogen oxides, up to 60% less carbon monoxide, and fewer particulate emissions, as compared to gasoline.

Go Green. Save Green. Convert you commercial mower to propane with Metro Lawn Propane Conversions

Everyone is “Going Green” these days – including landscapers, college campuses and local municipalities.  Many counties and states now have “Ozone Days” which are declared on hot, sunny, still days when conditions are most favorable for the accumulation of unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone. Ozone Days also prohibit mowing with gasoline-powered mowers.

Did you know that with propane–powered mowers, you can mow anytime of the year, even on Ozone Days? Propane is a clean-burning fuel that substantially reduces greenhouse gas and other harmful emissions – anywhere from 30-90%. Propane also is a clean burning engine fuel, so you’ll have less maintenance and a longer engine life for your mower.

The myth is propane costs more. In almost all cases, propane is about 5% – 15% less expensive than gasoline. Want to find out how much less? You do the math. Check out Metro Lawn’s Fuel Calculator, plug in your information and see what your savings will be. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Converting a propane mower is simple and Metro Lawn Propane’s team of Alternative Fuel Specialists will work with you to have your conversion done quickly and efficiently. With over 900 retail propane locations across the United States, our professional will set up a propane delivery schedule that works with your business.

A few more bonuses to choosing propane over gasoline:

• Propane controls fuel cost.
• Propane means no fuel spillage.
• Propane eliminates fuel theft.
• With propane, there is no fuel contamination.
• Propane allows for a longer engine life as it is a clean burning fuel.
• Propane requires less engine maintenance.
• Propane is produced here in the US, and it reduces our dependency on foreign oil.

Reduce YOUR carbon footprint. Go green and SAVE green with Metro Lawn Propane Conversions. To find out more, contact Jim Coker at (865) 850-2277 or email Jim.Coker@GoGreenMetroLawn.com.

Paula Wilson speaks at the inaugural program of the Women In Propane Council

When I started with AmeriGas 30 years ago yesterday (I crawled to work that day), I didn’t know the word propane. AmeriGas had 33 locations and I was young and single, looking to start a new career after four years of teaching. I was a temporary employee and after 7 months, AmeriGas created a position for me as a customer relations training representative.

It’s hard to believe 30 years later, AmeriGas now has 1,200 locations and I’m the Director of Marketing responsible for our nationwide marketing strategy and project development. I’ve helped to integrate five major acquisitions and develop programs to grow our customer base from 47,000 customers to 2.1 million.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work in a very open, supportive and dynamic environment, both within AmeriGas and the industry as a whole. This has allowed me to take on new challenges, and as I’m sure many of you can relate; it’s been a delicate balancing act.

My biggest challenge came in 1987. AmeriGas made its first big acquisition of CalGas, three times our size. I was just back from maternity leave with my first son Andrew, I was working on my masters, I was promoted to my first management position (first female in marketing), and I had to travel to the West coast for the integration meetings. When my boss came and told me I had to get out on the road, I went into the ladies room and cried. So now it WAS time to get MY balancing act together!!

Thank goodness for my supportive husband (Paul, who I met at AmeriGas)!!

The following week I was in California, meeting a new, dedicated team of propane folks and learning about their culture and “what works.” That’s what this industry is all about: the people and the shared experiences and successes.

To truly appreciate this industry and the people, you really need to get involved in our industry’s associations and activities. By the early 1990s, I realized “propane and AmeriGas” was in my blood and definitely my new career path. So to broaden my horizons, I became involved in the NPGA. My goal was to bring value to AmeriGas and enrich my knowledge of the industry. I participated in and chaired the PIC and MDC for NPGA, and served on the BOD. Both committees were disbanded and later represented under the CEAC of Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). I served as an advisory committee member for PERC for 13 years. I am honored now to serve as a Councilor and Vice-Chair for marketers on PERC.

So in the following years, I took on new challenges, accepted promotions, developed and mentored new marketing teams and managed new bosses; and built strong friendships!

Today, I’m responsible for our national growth and retention strategies, collaborating with our sales team and marketing to all segments of our business with a major focus on digital marketing opportunities. Something we didn’t have 30 years ago!

I can look back now and identify what qualities allowed me to be successful. I was determined. There really weren’t many barriers, but if there were I found a way to either tip-toe, dance or kick my way through them. I took initiative, championed change and developed and motivated others. I would drive for results, foster teamwork, solve problems, establish goals and communicate in ways that would inform and influence at all levels of the organization.

It’s fair to say, I’ve grown up with AmeriGas and the propane industry. And my family has too…I realized this a couple weeks ago while looking at family photos. While on family vacations, I would make my sons pose in front of AmeriGas stores and storage tanks in VA, UT, AZ, FL. Maybe you can relate, today or someday!

Thanks so much for your attention.

1. More Power! If you need power, you need a propane forklift. Propane forklifts maintain consistent, 100-percent power throughout operation. They have the ability to push heavy loads at full capacity, up and down inclines, faster, and for a longer amount of time than electric forklifts.

2. More Cost Effective! Propane forklifts offer an economical way to meet material handling needs. Propane forklifts have lower life-cycle costs than electric, diesel or gasoline-powered forklifts. 

3. Versatile: Indoor OR Outdoor Use! Propane forklifts can be used in indoor and outdoor applications, unlike their electric counterparts. Propane cylinders can be stored and moved almost anywhere within a work site. 

4. Low Maintenance! Propane produces fewer engine deposits than gasoline and diesel fuel, resulting in lower maintenance costs. Propane engines can typically last up to twice as long as gasoline engines.

5. Long Running! Propane forklifts with a typical 33.5 lb cylinder run an average of 8 hours between refueling.

6. Simple & Fast Refueling! With propane forklifts, simply remove the empty cylinder and replace with a full one. Refueling can be completed in 5 minutes.

7. Safety First! Propane forklift tanks, fuel lines and carburetion components meet or exceed strict specifications. Built-in safety devices automatically shut off the flow of fuel in case of an accident.

8. Environmental Impact: Propane is Green! Propane is a non-toxic, clean-burning fuel that is safely used to power forklifts indoors and out. There is no spillage loss or evaporation into the atmosphere.  

Learn more about Forklift fuel by downloading our forklift brochure and visiting our forklift webpage.

Visit one of our over 6,500 cylinder refill locations nationwide. You will enjoy the cost efficiency provided by refilling your cylinder as well as keeping your existing tank. Our cylinder refill dealers are ready to safely and quickly refill your propane cylinder.

Finding the AmeriGas propane refill location closest to you is simple:

1. Navigate to our location finder
2. Enter your ZIP code
3. Select cylinder refill

AmeriGas cylinder refill dealers are not just able to fill grill cylinders but can refill all types of portable propane cylinders for heating, cooking, camping, lawn mowers, pluming, roofing and RVs.

For more information please go to our cylinder refill website.

Are you a interested in becoming an AmeriGas cylinder refill dealer? Check out our commercial cylinder refill website or contact us today.

Liapis is the first private landscape company in the state of Ohio to make the change to propane fuel and is also considering converting their fleet of trucks to propane autogas in the future to further reduce their environmental footprint.  By working with AmeriGas and our subsidiary, Metro Lawn, Liapis was able to put together a complete solution from the conversion kits for the mowers to an on-site custom propane fueling facility.  Besides being cleaner burning, propane is also non-toxic and is the third most commonly used engine fuel in the world.

3 Propane AutoGas Mowers and the AmeriGas Bobtail that fuels them.

Environmental Advantages of Propane Conversion

With this conversion, Liapis’ fleet has been designated as a 3 Star Ohio Green Fleet by Clean Fuels Ohio.  This designation is a recognition of the hard work that Liapis has done to improve the efficiency and environmental performance of their fleet.  By converting to propane autogas, the fleet has reduced emissions of:

• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
• Particulate Matter
• Hydro-Carbons
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Based on EPA tests comparing gasoline and propane autogas mower systems with the specific horsepower and hour usage of Laipis’ mower fleet, they expect to achieve some really significant reductions (according to calculations done by Clean Fuels Ohio):

Increased Engine Life Expectation

David Guy (Right) and Phil Liapis at Liapis Landscaping with a newly converted Propane AutoGas mower

According to David Guy, Foreman at Liapis (pictured above, right), besides the environmental benefits, one of the biggest advantages of propane autogas is the potential to extend the life of a mower’s engine.  Although they’ll save money using propane autogas as compared to gasoline and they won’t be subject to any regulations such as ozone action days that might otherwise, limit their ability to run their mowers, David is looking forward to the reduced maintenance needs for an engine that runs on propane.  Because propane is cleaner burning, it leaves fewer deposits on engines than gasoline, and thus he expects to get more usage from an engine.  Currently, Liapis typically spends a few thousand dollars, as much as $7,000 per mower, to replace the engine every 2 years.  David now hopes to get another year of usage or even two, effectively doubling the lift of a engine for Liapis, easily paying back the effort and cost to do the conversions.

About the Organizations Mentioned

Liapis Landscape & Design: The Liapis Landscape & Design Company has been in business since 2001, operating on the simple principle of providing each of our customers with personalized customer service. Our excellent reputation as one of Southwest Ohio’s premier residential and commercial landscape design companies has grown from this simple concept.  Our full-service company provides all aspects of landscaping which includes: design, maintenance, construction, irrigation, stone walls, water features, entertainment areas and lighting for residential and commercial property. Every client receives the unique attention needed to enhance the value of their investment. At the Liapis Landscape & Design Company, we continue to endeavor to be the best landscape contractor available in Dayton and the Miami Valley. Our dedicated staff works tirelessly with each client to ensure they receive the services they need at a fair price.

Clean Fuels Ohio: Clean Fuels Ohio strives to improve air quality and health, reduce environmental pollution and strengthen Ohio’s economy by increasing the use of cleaner, domestic fuels and energy-saving vehicles.

1. Safety Policy
2. Cardinal Rules
3. Leak Checks
4. Red and Yellow Tags

Red and Yellow Tags

AmeriGas uses red and yellow tags to indicate problems on propane equipment.  The red tags, which are also called lockout tags, are used for dangerous conditions that require the equipment/system to be shut off because it is not safe to operate or has not passed a leak check.  A yellow tag indicates that while the checked equipment can be operated safely, a condition exists that requires repairs or replacement.

Red (Danger) Tag Conditions

• Gas Leaks
  • Gas leaks in piping system including regulators, appliance connector/valves, or appliance that cannot be repaired at the time of the visit.
  • Any situation where a required Leak Check, Pressure Test, Test for Leakage, and/or System Performance Test cannot be done; for example, a customer refuses to allow entry to the home, a customer is not at home, or any other reason that access is not possible.
• Gas piping issues including copper tubing through a floor to a moveable appliance. (*NFPA 54)
• Installation of a container (tanks or cylinders) & related appurtenances that is not connected to any appliances.  An example of this would be an installation of a first stage system to the building where the third party contractor has installed the inside piping but has not yet connected the appliances.
• Appliance Issues
  • Appliance burners problems (rusted burners, flame characteristics [floating/lifting] causing yellow flame/sooting, back-flashing of burner); where the appliance cannot be isolated from the system, RED TAG the entire system; where it can be isolated, RED TAG the appliance. (*NFPA 54)
  • Water leaks causing hazard to burner or pilot, if appliance cannot be isolated from system.  Where an appliance cannot be isolated from the system, RED TAG the entire system.  Where it can be isolated, RED TAG the appliance.
• Vent, chimney, and flue issues including:
  • Improper vent or chimney (*NFPA 54)
  • Vent termination (*NFPA 54)
  • Under-sized vent (*NFPA 54)
  • Missing vent when required or exposed vent pipe is not adequately joined, supported or secured
  • Spillage from draft hood or vent
  • Vent connector badly rusted (*NFPA 54)
  • Plastic materials on gas dryer vent per *NFPA 54
  • Vent too close to flammables/combustibles – discoloration or charring of combustible material. (*NFPA 54)
  • Wood or coal burning equipment in same chimney with gas appliance for existing installation and equipment otherwise vents properly. (*NFPA 54)

Yellow (Caution) Tag Conditions

• In an appliance, the space that provides combustion air is not large enough to supply the required combustion air for an appliance, but can be temporarily corrected.
• Service interruption of a pool heater after leak check has been performed and pool heater needs servicing by Maintenance Company, prior to operating.
• Container (Tanks and Cylinder) Issues
  • A leak that is considered non-hazardous on a container of 125 gallons or more water capacity and cannot be repaired at the time of detection must be yellow tagged and shall be scheduled for repair as soon as practical, but this time period can not exceed 90 days from the date that the leak is discovered.
  • Service and fill valves not operating as originally designed and no fill hose adapters installed on tank filler valves.
  • Relief valve has debris in it or is corroded.
  • Relief valve cover missing, weep hole plugged.
  • Container and dome needs painting or decals.
• Regulator Issues
  • Regulators improperly installed (e.g. vents upside-down, debris in vent).
  • No snow/ice protection for regulators located in areas where the local building codes have specified a minimum design snow load for roofs equal to, or exceeding, 125 psf and where anticipated snow accumulation can result in damage.
• Piping Issues
  • Piping improperly secured or unprotected piping that is not an immediate hazard.  (Example: piping too close to walkway)
  • Other gas piping issues including:
    • Improper pipe size
    • Tubing that is crimped, twisted, or otherwise damaged
    • Pigtails that are crimped, twisted, or otherwise damaged
    • PE tubing/pipe showing on transition fittings
    • Plastic pipe inside building (*NFPA 54)
    • Flex line connectors in a concealed location or passing through floor/walls or between rooms (*NFPA 54)
    • Improper tubing/pipe fittings (compression fittings)
    • No sediment trap (furnace, boiler, and water heater) (*NFPA 54)
    • No shut-off valve near appliance (within 6 feet) (*NFPA 54)
    • Unsupported fuel line pipe (*NFPA 54)
    • Non-approved connector for manufactured home (*NFPA 54)
• Vent, chimney, and flue issues including insufficient air for venting, causing combustion problems that can be temporarily fixed.
• Any condition which can be temporarily corrected or repaired by AmeriGas employees, the owner, contractor at the time of visit, but requires a permanent repair or correction. (Example of a temporary condition is a can of flammable liquids stored next to a water heater should not be tagged provided the can of flammable liquids is moved to a safe location. If there is a permanent storage cabinet for flammable liquids cans, removing the cans from the area makes the appliance safe.) A yellow tag should be issued indicating that the appliance and permanent storage cabinet must be separated to a greater distance.  (*NFPA 54)

*NFPA 54 is one of a few key regulations that AmeriGas follows as part of a complete set of regulations issued by the National Fire Prevention Association specifically regarding the National Fuel Gas Code.

Saving energy

• Choose energy efficient products with the ENERGY STAR label
• Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
• Use the microwave to cook small meals. (It uses less power than an oven.)
• Have leaky air conditioning and refrigeration systems repaired.
• Insulate your home, water heater and pipes.

Conserving Water

• Don’t let the water run while shaving or brushing teeth.
• Take short showers instead of tub baths.
• Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run until the water is cool.
• Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
• Wash only full loads of laundry or use the appropriate water level or load size selection on the washing machine.
• Buy high-efficient plumbing fixtures & appliances.
• Repair all leaks (a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons a day).
• Water the lawn or garden during the coolest part of the day (early morning is best).
• Water plants differently according to what they need. Check with your local extension service or nurseries for advice.
• Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only – not the street or sidewalk.
• Use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation systems for trees and shrubs.
• Keep your yard healthy – dethatch, use mulch, etc.
• Sweep outside instead of using a hose.
• Landscape using “rain garden” techniques to save water and reduce stormwater runoff.

Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Materials

• Reduce:
  • Buy permanent items instead of disposables.
  • Buy and use only what you need.
  • Buy products with less packaging.
  • Buy products that use less toxic chemicals.
• Reuse:
  • Repair items as much as possible.
  • Use durable coffee mugs.
  • Use cloth napkins or towels.
  • Clean out juice bottles and use them for water.
  • Use empty jars to hold leftover food.
  • Reuse boxes.
  • Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
  • Participate in a paint collection and reuse program.
  • Donate extras to people you know or to charity instead of throwing them away.
• Recycle:
  • Recycle paper (printer paper, newspapers, mail, etc.), plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans. If your community doesn’t collect at the curb, take them to a collection center.
  • Recycle electronics.