Avgas/100 Octane Racing Fuel: so much confusion!  Just to set the record straight:

                                                                                                            by Phillip Schudmak

Many years ago an international coalition of Greenies/bureaucrats/petroleum industry decided to do away with “leaded fuel”.   There was general concern among the “old car folk”, but we were told that LRP, lead substitutes, engine tuning, etc, would be sufficient to keep our old cars on the road. This is true for most of us, the exception being for some racing engines.  It is ironic that the leaded petrol required for these cars is now controlled by the Department of the Environment!

The production and sale of leaded fuel for motor vehicles has been prohibited in Australia since 1st January, 2002 and the great majority of us have learned to live with it, as have our colleagues around the world.  Note that “Avgas” (aviation gasoline - a very high lead, +100 octane fuel used in the light aircraft industry) is not affected and there are no plans to stop its production, now or later.  Last year 93 million litres of it were sold in Australia and the supply of fuel for historic racing cars is very much dependant on us hanging on to the coat-tails of the light aviation industry.

It is now an offence in Australia to add lead, or any other prohibited substance, to motor fuel or to use leaded fuel, (other than for aviation) – maximum penalty $110,000!!!

However, The Minister for the Environment has granted exemptions to allow the supply of Avgas and leaded racing fuels (eg RF100) via certain approved organizations for a limited period, currently to June, 2005.  The bureaucrats hope/expect that demand from motor sport will have dried up or disappeared by then, but it could be extended if there is sufficient demand and a strong enough case is made. (“Users of vehicles that have a requirement to use leaded fuel are encouraged to seek alternatives.”)

Currently, there are 22 approved “Issuing Organizations”, mainly speedboat, hot rod, and speedway, but including CAMS and the Australian Historic Motoring Federation (GPO Box 2862, Canberra, ACT, 2601). These groups issue “Leaded Fuel Passbooks”, on behalf of the government, to members of their associated clubs which allow the purchase of Avgas from your local supplier (mainly airports and race circuits.)

CAMS will only issue Passbooks for cars with CAMS Logbooks; however AHMF will issue them on a wider basis. AHMF is the peak national motoring club organization and covers 900 motor clubs (for example, via AOMC in Victoria, the Council of Motoring Clubs in NSW, etc).   Most motoring clubs are (or should be) a member of one of these organizations.  If you need a logbook, give AHMF a call (Ph 0419 249 109, or email gittins@eisa.net.au).  You will need an application form and $20.

Note that the Passbook stipulates that the fuel can only be used in very restricted circumstances, for example: at an event approved, sanctioned or ratified by an organization that has been granted approval by the “Issuing Organization” (ie CAMS or AHMF), for off-road practice for such an event, to travel to and from events sanctioned by an “Issuing Organization”, or for “reasonable” testing and maintenance runs on public roads.

For more detail, have a look at www.ea.gov.au/atmosphere/transport/fuel/water-sports  

                                                                               Phillip Schudmak
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