The April 30 issue of the Canada Gazette, the official newspaper of the Canadian government, brought good news to drag racers in Canada. The amendment for the importation, production and sale of leaded fuel used for the purpose of competition in Canada has been extended until January 1, 2010.

This is the seventh time this exemption has been amended. It caused concern among Canadian racers and track operators because the exemption was set to expire Jan. 1, 2009 and no word of another extension was rumored. They provided the government with hard data pointing out the severe economic impact that would be felt by those in the industry.

The economic impact would not have been limited to drag racing. Three of the largest races in Canada are IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam events, which bring thousands of racers and fans and millions of dollars into the communities of Grand Bend, Cayuga (both in Ontario) and Edmonton (Alberta).

The majority of race teams who compete in the Canadian IHRA events are based in the United States, which has no ban on leaded fuels. If the exemption would have expired many of those teams would have been unable to compete at the Canadian national events.

It was also pointed out that just 1.5% of all leaded fuel imported into Canada was used for competition purposes. The rest was used in the aviation industry, which has a permanent exemption.

Though the exemption has been extended, a permanent solution has yet to be put in place.

“There will be some tough challenges for 2010 if the extension is not there,” IHRA president Aaron Polburn said.

Torco Racing Fuels and other fuel companies who focus on the racing community are actively working on alternatives. Scott Wildgust, the Ontario distributor for Torco, said fuel suppliers are currently working on high-octane unleaded fuel to be used for racing applications. These fuel companies use additives like benzene to boost the octane rating in unleaded fuel, but benzene is “extremely volatile and almost impossible to transport due to safety regulations.”

Torco offers a range of unleaded fuels for different racing applications that range in octane rating from 96 to 108. Vehicles that compete in the Stock, Super Stock, Pro Stock and Pro Modified classes require a higher octane rating. The other three professional classes, Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Car and Alcohol Funny Car, do not use leaded fuel.

Polburn realizes a permanent solution is needed.

“With three of our 11 national events in Canada, along with a strong presence and commitment to Canadian drag racing, we have a commitment to provide the best possible show in Canada and will continue to work on the leaded fuel issue,” Polburn said. “We are looking into every possibility in keeping the same show in Canada that we have in the United States. We’re working on other options if the extension is not met.”

You can read the amendments as printed in the Canadian Gazette by clicking on the following links. Part One can be found at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2008/20080430/html/sor126-e.html. Part Two ca be found at http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2008/20080430/html/sor126-e.html.