EDMONTON, AB. – This weekends scheduled appearance of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series at Bridge County Raceway in Lethbridge, Alberta has been cancelled (the Lethbridge race is not). The fuel gauge is reading close to empty for many NPP race teams. “The NPP Late Model Series uses leaded racing fuel,” says Series announcer Gord Craig, “unfortunately purchasing this fuel in Canada is currently illegal right now. Teams are still allowed to use any fuel left over from the previous season but that’s it. Right now fuel distributors cannot sell leaded racing fuel in Canada.”

Several NPP Series race teams have already stated that they will not have enough fuel to get them through the next scheduled race event (May 22nd and 23rd). Spruce Grove Alberta’s Bruce Broughton, last weekends Feature winner in Edmonton indicates he will have a dry tank well before the end of this weekend’s race event. Whitecourt, Alberta’s Paul Grundberg, who had to borrow fuel from a fellow competitor at the Lucas Slick Mist Season opening race in Edmonton, estimates he will be about six gallons short. “On behalf of the NPP Series I would like to apologize to James and Kathy Hadnagy at BCR and to all Southern Alberta race fans that were looking forward to our visit this weekend. Unfortunately our hands are tied at this point.” The small economic impact that the NPP Series brings to Lethbridge will not be happening this weekend either. “NPP Series race teams really look forward to the trip to Lethbridge each season. Many have their favorite dining and lodging spots booked months in advance.” Plans are in the works to re-schedule the Lethbridge dates. “The September long weekend has already been talked about,” adds Craig, “nothing is confirmed and won’t be until this fuel crisis is over.” The Saturday, June 5th race date at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton is also in jeopardy due to the current shortage of leaded racing fuel. NPP Late Model Series competitors along with other race teams and series that compete on Oval tracks and Drag strips right across Canada are hoping and praying that this fuel crisis is over sooner rather that later.

Background information on racing fuel ban:
-the temporary exemption of selling leaded fuel in Canada expired December 31st, 2009.
-a new 5-year extension was supposed to begin January 1st, 2010.
-paperwork ‘issues’ in Ottawa by Federal bureaucrats delayed the implementation of the new temporary exemption measures.
-selling leaded race fuel in Canada is expected to be allowed once again in June.
-there is no ban on leaded racing fuels in the United States.
-there have been four extensions in allowing the sale of leaded racing fuel in Canada.
(1997, 1998, 2003, 2007)
-0.8% of all leaded fuels imported into Canada (2009 Government figures) are used in racing vehicles. The remainder is used by small aircraft and agriculture sector which is permanently exempted from the leaded fuel ban.