The Avgas / Unleaded Fuel Debate

[E36ST]

Some of you may be aware that Motorsport NZ has banned leaded fuels / Avgas etc from 1 July, aside from a temporary dispensation for pre-86 cars until a suitable alternative can be found.

It does leave many of us competitors facing huge costs to modify cars to run on pump gas, mainly in having a new computer wired in, which for genuine touring cars means the car is no longer 'as it was'.

Just wondering what the status is across the ditch. Is leaded fuel / Avgas still permitted? If not, how do turbo cars & particularly classic or historic touring cars get on making the change to unleaded fuels?

[Smokey Retirement]

Yes Avgas is still available from certain retailers if you meet the requirements. I got some not that long ago. Attached is the Australian Government Department of Environment web page on it.

http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosp...ing/avgas.html

[dat2kman]

so the Kiwi Gumbymint is prepared to let all the light engined reciprocating engine aircraft fly on fuel that does not have any lead to lubricate and protect valve seats, and aromatics and other additives to allow even distribution of burn path across the piston?
This may mean that the planes and copters may fall out of the sky when their engines stop working.
Well done Kiwi gumbymint.
Talk to any airframe mechanic for the reasons why these things need the fuel they use.
Same princilpes for race cars but at least we dont fall out of the sky.
yeh yeh there are some aircraft engines that will run on new stuff, but theres plenty that wont.

[E36ST]

It doesn't affect aviation, just motorsport.

[Southern Man]

E36ST, have you applied for a Certificate of Description (COD) from MSNZ? I am sure that genuine touring cars would have no issues in obtaining one. Historic Cars with a COD can still run Avgas.

[E36ST]

Originally Posted by Southern Man

E36ST, have you applied for a Certificate of Description (COD) from MSNZ? I am sure that genuine touring cars would have no issues in obtaining one. Historic Cars with a COD can still run Avgas.

Only for pre 86 cars (or may include 1986 possibly).

I'm interested to know what the status is in Australia - is Avgas still the norm for most motorsport classes / classic racing?

[alfacors]

We still run Avgas in our Historic Sc car. Im not sure if CAMS still issue the leaded fuel passbook like they used to. Next engine build will be for 98 unleaded though so we don't have to go trekking over to the airport to buy fuel......