Racing: E85 off the local radar
MA board knocks it on the headE85 - fuel with 85 per cent ethanol content - will not be used in Australian-based motorcycle competition in the foreseeable future.
The decision was made in Motorcycling Australia's November board meeting where, although it was noted E85 is an attractive proposition at around $1.00 per litre, the following concerns proved to be too overwhelming:
- Thirty per cent more fuel is required compared to the normal unleaded fuel;
- With current race distances, fuel tanks would not be sufficient capacity to accommodate E85 fuel;
- E85 has a corrosive effect on plastic and aluminium in injection systems;
- The availability of fuel; and
- The availability of sugar cane for the fuel's creation.
Earlier, Motorcycling Australia (MA) had enlisted the services of Phil Tainton, the team manager of Suzuki Australia's superbike team and the chair of its road race commission, to investigate the efficacy of using E85 fuel.
But the research didn't get past first base, and is now completely off the radar following the decision by the MA board. Instead, the board has indicated that a complete review of the fuel used in competition may be on the agenda for 2010.
V8 Supercars started using E85 at the start of this year, and next year's Iconic Targa Tasmania will also go down the ethanol-based route.
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