Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

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Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by DLRA »

As we have previously warned the Minister for Environment will be phasing out leaded fuel exemptions in 2019.
We are currently working with suppliers to come up with as many replacement or alternative fuels as we can and will be talking to suppliers again in a months time.
I'd be interested to hear from any one who is still running leaded fuels in the DLRA GAS classes especially. What fuel are you running?
Good news, is at least one supplier can now offer and unleaded alternative for Avgas.
Please leave a reply here or email info@dlra.org.au
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momec3
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by momec3 »

Hi Greg
I run VP fuels C14+ in our 300ci Windsor. It has 13.00:1 comp so this is beyond the range of avgas. I will be interested to see if we can come up with an unleaded that will comply in gas class and equal the performance of C14+.
The F100 being a pickup has no option but run in gas class.
Chris
mal hewett
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by mal hewett »

Hey Greg
Have been running Avgas in the Vincent for about 12 years. As with Chris and many others, I'm also very interested in the a alternatives for replacing Leaded . Alternative politicians may be a better solution.
Cheers Mal
PS No, we will not be running Nitro :lol:
Mal Hewett
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David Leikvold
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by David Leikvold »

No Fuel class for pickups doesn't make much sense, surely we could add the class for 2019 or 2020 when the leaded fuel is gone. By the way, I just noticed that the BP servo on Wood Street at Warwick can get 100 octane.

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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by momec3 »

The point is comparing it to the equivalent SCTA class Dave. I am 5mph odd faster than them in D/PP and within 1/2mph in C/PP in our fat air. No one else here is running Pickup and there is no challenge in an open record if we 'create' another class.
Chris
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by David Leikvold »

Fair point Chris, thanks for that.

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Dave :mrgreen:
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Stayt`ie
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by Stayt`ie »

With the phaseing out of Avgas, what are thay running in planes ?
First Australian to ride a motorcycle over 200mph at Bonneville,,,
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by Cookey »

Avgas Ronnie ! It will become illegal to run it in anything other than licenced aircraft.
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Gus
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by Gus »

Terraplane runs on VP late model plus 113 octane leaded, our engine is 14.7 to 1, so next year will be our last year in the gas class. Our intention is to send our carbs away and get new metering plates for methanol then go through more dyno work to make sure our fuel system is up to it. The other option is to reduce compression with another set of pistons and run some sort of unleaded and make less hp, but that doesn't make any sense. Anyway thats only if we run the car another year, well see how we go in 2019 and make our minds up after that.
"On the sea that's aquaplaning, in the air that's aeroplaning, but on the land, in the traffic, on the hills, hot diggity dog, THAT'S TERRAPLANING"
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by DLRA »

I have had a good response from VP fuels and they say they are developing new fuels to provide options for all sorts of race vehicles.
I can't promise anything, but I do pass along any info that I can.
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by AuotonomousRX »

Sunoco Race Fuels Australia are also aware of the DLRA. They commented on our DLRA Facebook page discussion about this stuff.

I posted a description of my High Compression 2 Stroke specific situation and they asked me to forward that info to them. I did that and they messaged me back saying they would pass my info/comments on to their Technical Team.

I decided to use Sunoco because it was the Fuel Company that gave the most information, Octane, S.G, DC, BTU etc about their Race Fuels. I could then choose the one best suited to my very specific High Compression, 11500-12000 rpm, prolonged WOT, 2 Stroke engine.

As most of us are aware the Leaded Race Fuel "issue" has two parts to it. Here is how I am seeing it.

1. The obvious, what can those of us that rely on High Octane Leaded Race Fuel/Gasoline/Petrol (not Pump Petrol) use when those Specialised Leaded Race Fuels are no longer available. Methanol is an option for some but not all, especially if you want to stay in Gas Class. That leads us to the next part.

2. Are these substitute Unleaded Race Fuels Gas Class legal under the existing Gas Class parameters.

"The addition of compounds containing oxygen, such as ethanol, methanol and other oxygenates may produce a mixture with a D.C. (dielectric constant) greater than 15.0 as measured with a Digitron DT-64 “DC Meter” zeroed on reagent grade, pure CYCLOHEXANE. 15.0 is the current DLRA acceptable dielectric ceiling. Most gasoline will check under this ceiling." I'd say the "Most gasoline" reference is USA specific.

The "research" I have done found that most of the current Unleaded Race Fuels have varying levels of Ethanol in them to boost the Octane/Detonation Protection Properties that the Leaded Fuels had. It looks like anymore than 10% Ethanol pushes the DC over the 15.0 limit.

The highest (RO+MO/2) Octane rating for those Unleaded Gas Legal Fuels is 100 - 101, I use 112 R+M/2 Octane "Gas".

Given that, there are some decisions to be made by both the Members effected and the DLRA as a whole as far as Gas Class in our Rule Book, but at least we have time to find some solutions and from what I have read the DLRA are working on it.

Meanwhile roll on 2019 and the end of an era.

I am hoping (hands on head) to give that soft Modified - Gas - 250 Class record a good shove up the MPH scale next year.

Pete :)
Still trying to decide if I am a procrastinator

Pete :?
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sunocoracingaus
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by sunocoracingaus »

Hi All,

Aaron the national account manager for VPW/Sunoco Racing Fuels Aus here.

This lead fuel ban has thrown a massive (and expensive) spanner in the works.

The racing technical team in the USA are working on some new fuels that we plan on having ready for sale here before the lead ban comes into full effect.

We are just awaiting results on dyno & storage testing. One of the things we are aware of though is the concerns of alot of racers & engine builders about the increased use of highly carcinogenic & expensive additives like MTBE etc. We are avoiding using these in our fuels.

Currently we have three fuels that are classed as "Pump Fuels" in Australia:

260 GTX
SS 100
APEX

Of those, the 260GTX is non oxygenated & contains no ethanol. APEX & SS100 both contain ethanol & are oxygenated, but no more than 10% ethanol.

The 260GTX is a great alternative for those running AvGas now & can't make fuel system modifications to take advantage of an Oxygenated fuel.

Obviously there is a physical wall we run into when it comes to Octane numbers & fuels that do not contain lead. But Octane isn't everything, it is just an indication of knock resistance.

The 1st fuel we are working on is aimed at Naturally Aspirated engines & has been a ground up design. Rather than just try & make the highest octane unleaded fuel we can, we have worked with some major NA engine builders & tuners both here & in the USA, we asked them what specs they would want in a fuel. They essentially told us something, Oxygenated & Fast Burning (light).

Be assured that the final products will be fully tested & certified to ASTM (by Intertek) like all our fuels. Those specs will be publicly available (as they currently are)

Keep an eye on our Facebook & Instagram pages for more information on these new fuels or for any other information feel free to drop me an email to aaronb@vpw.com.au
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by DLRA »

Thanks Aaron for taking the time to come on the forum and give us an update.
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600dlra
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by 600dlra »

VP fuels have released a new product,QM25.It is suitable for Pro Stock so it appears they have the detonation problem sorted.It will be available on Feb1.
I could not find a full spec sheet online to know if it will be legal for Gas classification.
Here is the info:
111 research octane
99.5 motor octane
.743 S.G.
5% oxygen content {could this be the stumbling block?}
This year we are giving it a real crack to get the car finished.If this gear is legal,we will dyno the engine with it.I don't want to use VP14+,not make it to Speedweek,Then spend another day on the dyno with unleaded.Like plenty of other people,the budget for this car has blown clear into low earth orbit.I know they all do.
I am aware this is a busy time for everyone getting everything ready for March,but a ruling on this would be very much appreciated.
Also I just checked & will ring Carol tommorow to pay my subs.for2019.
I know it's poor form asking questions & not being a card carrying member.
Thanks,Ian DLRA600
momec3
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Re: Phase out of leaded fuel by September 2019.

Post by momec3 »

The way we could get past the oxygen content is to introduce a control fuel.
A control fuel will need to cover the very wide range of classes that gas class comprises. If/when we agree on this concept as a club then we might consider a slightly oxygenated fuel. This may end up as our best compromise.
Too early to tell if QM25 be the one. We need to consider keeping a level comparison with our US classes and not to be seen as having an advantage. VP or their competitors may help here with direct dyno comparisons lead versus no lead. A control fuel has a huge advantage in cost saving for racers if we can each only buy what we need at the event . Bob and I suggested this years ago and maybe one day it might happen
Chris
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