Track Days - Red Diesel

[FlukePlay]

If I have a diesel car that is not road registered or is SORN, and is only run as a track day car, can I use red diesel?

My idea is to purchase a BMW 330d for about £4000 only for track day use. It will be taken to a track on a trailer, it will not be driven on any public roads.

Is this possible?

[jonnyleroux]

FlukePlay said:

If I have a diesel car that is not road registered or is SORN, and is only run as a track day car, can I use red diesel?

My idea is to purchase a BMW 330d for about £4000 only for track day use. It will be taken to a track on a trailer, it will not be driven on any public roads.

Is this possible?

edited to remove the load of boll0cks I was talking!

Jonny
BaT

Edited by jonnyleroux on Wednesday 13th November 19:03

[marshalla]

jonnyleroux said:

No. red diesel is for agricultural use only. Technically you shouldn't even use red diesel in generators etc

I seem to recall there was a case a few years back where a chap was stung for using red diesel in ride-on lawnmoter used to cut a football field.

the concession is for the farming industry, nothing to do with use on the public road.

Jonny
BaT

Wrong. Unlicensed vehicles (including those declared SORN) which are not used on public roads may use rebated fuel. Plenty of racers use red diesel perfectly legally.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/ch...

[Oilchange]

So does that mean running a petrol race car allows you to apply to get the fuel duty back then?

[jonnyleroux]

marshalla said:

Wrong. Unlicensed vehicles (including those declared SORN) which are not used on public roads may use rebated fuel. Plenty of racers use red diesel perfectly legally.

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/ch...

Blimey - apologies, no idea how I got that so wrong!

[jonnyleroux]

Oilchange said:

So does that mean running a petrol race car allows you to apply to get the fuel duty back then?

Definitely not. I have a written confirmation from HMRC that there is no facility in place in the UK to reclaim duty on unleaded. Even the petrol I put in my strimmer needs to have duty paid.

And I *am* confident I'm right this time!

Jonny
BaT

[ahenners]

Doesn't answer the topic directly, but with a 4k budget I have to question why you would buy a BMW 330d, particularly for track use? At this end of the BMW market, surely a petrol like the 330i would be more reliable and either in better condition/newer or cheaper than a 330d. Just doesn't seem to make sense IMO

[FlukePlay]

ahenners said:

Doesn't answer the topic directly, but with a 4k budget I have to question why you would buy a BMW 330d, particularly for track use? At this end of the BMW market, surely a petrol like the 330i would be more reliable and either in better condition/newer or cheaper than a 330d. Just doesn't seem to make sense IMO

ahenners, you are quite right about whether a 330d is the ideal car for this budget. Probably not, but depending on how many track days you go on and how much fuel is used then there must be an argument for wanting to go down the diesel route and I wanted to know if, under the circumstances described, such cars were exempt.

[Wh00sher]

I`d rather spend a little less on a decent Petrol track car and put the extra towards the fuel.

In the scheme of things, fuel costs, whilst not insignificant, are only a part of a trackday costs.

[*Fletch*]

330i will be cheaper to run on track and more enjoyable, negating any savings on fuel made by the diesel.

[MNut]

I drove a diesel BMW 3 series hire car at the 'ring a few years back (I know I know I shouldn't have!) and whilst I found it's pace was good (was a 325d) I found it frustrating to drive on track due to the lack of revs.

As someone above said - why not just by a petrol equivalent car instead? The initial outlay to buy the car will be less and it will be far more satisfying to drive on track.

[R1 Indy]

I'm not sure if it's legal or not, but I don't see HMRC sending anyone to a trackday to dip the tanks

And if you don't tell anyone, nobody would know.

Still I would prefer a petrol engine.

[R1 Indy]

I'm not sure if it's legal or not, but I don't see HMRC sending anyone to a trackday to dip the tanks

And if you don't tell anyone, nobody would know.

Still I would prefer a petrol engine.

[FlukePlay]

Thanks for all your replies. From my understanding (having read the HMRC notes) I would take it that it is not illegal to use red diesel in an unregistered/SORN trackday car. Of course, if the decision comes to buy I will seek clarity direct with HMRC. However, your comments against using diesel cars for trackdays is valid and it could be much more enjoyable to go for a petrol motor instead.