Discussion
Andy,
Not sure if this has been posted here but I'm sure it's on Eurodragster.
Hope it won't effect your trip:
FYI, got this from another mailing list, interesting if really true. Any
Canadian owners know about this ??
Racers, it seems the sky is truly falling. The Government of Canada is planning to implement a total and permanent ban on the use of leaded fuels for competition purposes, effective January 1st, 2009.
If this happens, Professional Drag Racing in Canada is over. Immediately, completely and forever. This isn't the same as the challenges we've faced in the past. This time, they're dropping the 'Big One'. No Pro Mod, No Pro Stock, No Top Fuel or Nitro Funny Car and no American competitors in any of our sportsman classes. Only Alcohol Funny Cars would remain unscathed.
Although many Canadian sportsman competitors run their cars effectively on unleaded racing fuel or methanol, any of our competitors using leaded fuel have two choices. Change or quit.
The legislation arrived in our office last week. We took the time to read the document from start to finish to make sure we weren't overreacting. Then we talked to fuel suppliers, the IHRA and local politicians, including London's Bud Polhill; a long time drag racing advocate in the Canadian fuel wars.
What makes this bill viciously unfair is, they indicate that there may be increased health risks associated with leaded fuels than previously thought, and are advocating this change without any actual testing or proof. The US, Britain and Australia must not put much faith in this new information as they have no changes planned in their Leaded fuel for competition vehicles policies at volumes 10 to 100 times the annual Cdn. volume. Also the passing of this bill does not eliminate leaded fuel, it only eliminates our portion, which is 1.5% of the leaded fuel consumed in Canada (these are the Govt's own numbers right in the report Industry profile) the remaining 98.5% is used as aviation fuel and they have been given a permanent exemption. (which includes private pleasure planes, etc.)
Bottom line, it's as bad as it seems. The Canadian Government are legislating Canada's largest racing facilities out of business. The document can be found on the Government of Canada website, under Canada Gazette Part 1, Dec. 22, 2007. The link to the document is: http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2007/20071222/htm...
If you're passionate about our sport, I can only beg you to call, write and email every politician you can think of, and let them know how you feel about your sport being forced out of existence.YOU NEED TO DO THIS ASAP AS THE COMMENT PERIOD FOR THIS ACTION CLOSES ON FEB 20th , 2008 and it will then be scheduled for a vote. Make sure the companies that tailor their businesses around the performance industry know as well. They've got a big stake in this too.
This is the link that takes you to the current Members of Parliament. http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/Main...
On the left side of the page, you will see a text box labeled; Quick Search. Type in the name of your City or County to go to your local representative.
Some of Canada's smaller tracks may in fact survive, as their facilities are geared toward handling smaller events, slower cars and fewer spectators. Canada's Super Tracks, that have invested millions and continue to invest in their facilities on a yearly basis, like Castrol Raceway and Grand Bend Motorplex will, in all likelihood, cease to be. Picture the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, without the Maple Leafs and the Raptors.
You know, it's funny. No matter how many storms you weather, you never really believe that one big wave is going to hit, until you're already upside down in the freezing water.
To all the Drag racing competitors, crew and fans; thank you for your support and let's have a great year of racing in 2008. It may very well be our last.
Take care and play safe.
Ron Biekx
General Manager, Grand Bend Motorplex
_______________________________________________________________
Phil
Not sure if this has been posted here but I'm sure it's on Eurodragster.
Hope it won't effect your trip:
FYI, got this from another mailing list, interesting if really true. Any
Canadian owners know about this ??
Racers, it seems the sky is truly falling. The Government of Canada is planning to implement a total and permanent ban on the use of leaded fuels for competition purposes, effective January 1st, 2009.
If this happens, Professional Drag Racing in Canada is over. Immediately, completely and forever. This isn't the same as the challenges we've faced in the past. This time, they're dropping the 'Big One'. No Pro Mod, No Pro Stock, No Top Fuel or Nitro Funny Car and no American competitors in any of our sportsman classes. Only Alcohol Funny Cars would remain unscathed.
Although many Canadian sportsman competitors run their cars effectively on unleaded racing fuel or methanol, any of our competitors using leaded fuel have two choices. Change or quit.
The legislation arrived in our office last week. We took the time to read the document from start to finish to make sure we weren't overreacting. Then we talked to fuel suppliers, the IHRA and local politicians, including London's Bud Polhill; a long time drag racing advocate in the Canadian fuel wars.
What makes this bill viciously unfair is, they indicate that there may be increased health risks associated with leaded fuels than previously thought, and are advocating this change without any actual testing or proof. The US, Britain and Australia must not put much faith in this new information as they have no changes planned in their Leaded fuel for competition vehicles policies at volumes 10 to 100 times the annual Cdn. volume. Also the passing of this bill does not eliminate leaded fuel, it only eliminates our portion, which is 1.5% of the leaded fuel consumed in Canada (these are the Govt's own numbers right in the report Industry profile) the remaining 98.5% is used as aviation fuel and they have been given a permanent exemption. (which includes private pleasure planes, etc.)
Bottom line, it's as bad as it seems. The Canadian Government are legislating Canada's largest racing facilities out of business. The document can be found on the Government of Canada website, under Canada Gazette Part 1, Dec. 22, 2007. The link to the document is: http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2007/20071222/htm...
If you're passionate about our sport, I can only beg you to call, write and email every politician you can think of, and let them know how you feel about your sport being forced out of existence.YOU NEED TO DO THIS ASAP AS THE COMMENT PERIOD FOR THIS ACTION CLOSES ON FEB 20th , 2008 and it will then be scheduled for a vote. Make sure the companies that tailor their businesses around the performance industry know as well. They've got a big stake in this too.
This is the link that takes you to the current Members of Parliament. http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/Main...
On the left side of the page, you will see a text box labeled; Quick Search. Type in the name of your City or County to go to your local representative.
Some of Canada's smaller tracks may in fact survive, as their facilities are geared toward handling smaller events, slower cars and fewer spectators. Canada's Super Tracks, that have invested millions and continue to invest in their facilities on a yearly basis, like Castrol Raceway and Grand Bend Motorplex will, in all likelihood, cease to be. Picture the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, without the Maple Leafs and the Raptors.
You know, it's funny. No matter how many storms you weather, you never really believe that one big wave is going to hit, until you're already upside down in the freezing water.
To all the Drag racing competitors, crew and fans; thank you for your support and let's have a great year of racing in 2008. It may very well be our last.
Take care and play safe.
Ron Biekx
General Manager, Grand Bend Motorplex
_______________________________________________________________
Phil
Transmitter Man said:
If this happens, Professional Drag Racing in Canada is over. Immediately, completely and forever. This isn't the same as the challenges we've faced in the past. This time, they're dropping the 'Big One'. No Pro Mod, No Pro Stock, No Top Fuel or Nitro Funny Car and no American competitors in any of our sportsman classes. Only Alcohol Funny Cars would remain unscathed.
I have not yet read the full post but it sounds like scaremongering to me - Nitro contains no lead and nor does Methanol, so why would all of the above be affected? Pro Stock and Nitrous Pro Mod are the only ones I can imagine being hit and according to the Santa Pod website in the UK we run unleaded in Pro Mod, and VP do a spec fuel for European Pro Stock: http://www.vpracingfuels.com/vp_01_fuels.html#unle... scroll down to SV-05.Edited by Time Machine on Thursday 17th January 13:10
LOL at tog
so just to clarify are there any fuel currently in use in british or european racing that have lead in them? if not then i shouldnt think we have anything to worry about, also i shouldnt think the canadians haveanything to worry about because if we have fuels that are ok, then they will surely have access to the same or similar fuels, although it would cost money to convert engines etc.
so just to clarify are there any fuel currently in use in british or european racing that have lead in them? if not then i shouldnt think we have anything to worry about, also i shouldnt think the canadians haveanything to worry about because if we have fuels that are ok, then they will surely have access to the same or similar fuels, although it would cost money to convert engines etc.
FIA dont allow leaded fuel in pro stock or pro mod (hence the mass exodus from Nitrous setups when FIA began sanctioning Pro Modified.). Malmgren and co seem to do OK on it. FIM pro stock bike also run unleaded too.
Running unleaded is something everyone will have to get used to. Just because the American tuners have chosen not to face this engineering challenge wont make it go away.
Running unleaded is something everyone will have to get used to. Just because the American tuners have chosen not to face this engineering challenge wont make it go away.
Jon C said:
FIA dont allow leaded fuel in pro stock or pro mod (hence the mass exodus from Nitrous setups when FIA began sanctioning Pro Modified.). Malmgren and co seem to do OK on it. FIM pro stock bike also run unleaded too.
Running unleaded is something everyone will have to get used to. Just because the American tuners have chosen not to face this engineering challenge wont make it go away.
Nitrous pro mod racers use c16 if i'm not mistaken Jon.And that is chock full of lead.Running unleaded is something everyone will have to get used to. Just because the American tuners have chosen not to face this engineering challenge wont make it go away.
And American tuners aren't Canadian... just being pedantic....
Jon C said:
FIA dont allow leaded fuel in pro stock or pro mod (hence the mass exodus from Nitrous setups when FIA began sanctioning Pro Modified.). Malmgren and co seem to do OK on it. FIM pro stock bike also run unleaded too.
Running unleaded is something everyone will have to get used to. Just because the American tuners have chosen not to face this engineering challenge wont make it go away.
Running unleaded is something everyone will have to get used to. Just because the American tuners have chosen not to face this engineering challenge wont make it go away.
redvictor said:
Nitrous pro mod racers use c16 if i'm not mistaken Jon.And that is chock full of lead.
Well they jolly well shouldn't be! linkt'FIA said:
Section 2 (Pro Modified) 1.7
'1.7 FUEL
FIA-accepted unleaded racing gasoline mandatory, see General Regulations 1.6. Or methanol, see General Regulations 1.9. Gasoline, ethanol, methanol with nitrous oxide allowed. The use of propylene oxide and/or nitromethane prohibited. See General Regulations 1.13.'
redvictor said:
And American tuners aren't Canadian... just being pedantic....
This is true, but the bulk of the technology and development was/is done in the US.Edited by Jon C on Thursday 17th January 22:57
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