EDMONTON, AB – A major fuel crisis for competitors in the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series and for many drag and oval racers right across Canada is coming to an end. “It looks like the Canadian ban on the sale of leaded race fuels has been lifted,” says NPP Series announcer Gord Craig, “paperwork extending the exemption for another five years is still caught up in the political process down in Ottawa but word is Canadian distributors can now resume the sale of in-stock leaded race fuel without fear of major fines.” The Federal Governments temporary exemption of selling leaded fuel in Canada expired December 31st, 2009.

Jason Thomas with AMS Engines in Edmonton and distributor of VP Racing fuels says the short lived ban on the sale of leaded fuel has been a major inconvenience. “I’ve had drivers from the NPP Series contact me and I’ve had many drag racers contact me looking for any good news regarding the supply of race fuel. I’ve heard June 1st is the actual date the temporary ban is lifted but until the fuel trucks are allowed across the border nothing is certain.” Jordan Dechka with VP Racing fuels in Calgary indicates it will be business as usual next week. “Fuel trucks are currently en-route to Canada from Texas and the shipping of leaded racing fuels to our dealers begins next week.” According to the latest government figures (2009) 0.8% of all leaded fuels imported into Canada are used in racing vehicles. The remainder is used by small aircraft and the agriculture sector which is permanently exempted from the ban. Canada banned the use of leaded fuel in all passenger vehicles back in 1990. A shortage of leaded race fuel forced NPP Series officials to cancel its scheduled May long weekend event at Bridge County Raceway in Lethbridge, Alberta. “That was a tough decision to make,” admits Craig, “however showing up with six or seven cars and having them run out of fuel would not have been good. The final consensus with track management and NPP Series officials was to do the show right or not at all.” With the flow of leaded race fuel expected to return to normal in the next few weeks, many NPP Series teams will await delivery of their orders which were placed several months ago.

“Just because the ban is going to be lifted does not mean the Series resumes racing immediately like nothing has happened. Our drivers have to wait for delivery like everyone else.” Three-time NPP Series champion Trevor Emond, who is down to his final 13 gallons of leaded race fuel, hopes to get his fuel order by June 4th. “I’ve got four barrels coming,” says the Leduc, Alberta driver, “its one less thing to worry about now.” Emond who currently sits fifth in the NPP Late Model Series championship points chase, is also competing this season on the pavement in the Dakota Dunes Casino Western Canadian Super Late Model Series.