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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Apr 2007 : 2:21:32 PM
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I have been approached by some P5 sidecar owners for a rule change to allow methanol fuel for P5 Sidecars, if not all P5 classes.
I personally agree that methanol is the perfect racing fuel for this class, and fully support this request.
The rationale as follows;
Methanol was allowed and used in the period, unlike the unleaded fuel currently specified.
All P5 four stroke engines are air cooled, and suffer overheating in racing conditions (particularly sidecars with greater load and limited air flow) which is detrimental to engine life and subsequently to owner's budgets. Methanol runs cooler and prolongs engine life.
The youngest of these engines is at least 27 years old, and any allowance to prolong their racing life should be considered.
The availability of leaded fuel is very restricted and inconvenient to obtain.
As P5 is prior to the introduction of unleaded fuels, these engines are using fuel (Rule 16.10.0.1(b) ) for which they were not designed, resulting in burnt valves & valve seat regression.
Apart from expensive and difficult replacement of the valves and seats with a type suitable for ULP, which are often not manufactured for these engines, the only protection against this engine damage is to add lead replacement additive to the fuel. This option is specifically prohibited under Rule 16.10.0.1 (c).
Methanol fuel is environmentally friendly, inexpensive and easy to obtain.
can you please very quickly give me some input to support or otherwise this idea. I need support to kep it moving if you agree with it. If you dont agree, still give you opinion as we need all opinions to.
Thankyou in anticipation.
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John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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Bummers
Level 3 Member
Queensland
244 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2007 : 5:23:13 PM
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I fully support that idea for P5 solos - particularly 125s!
Bummers |
“Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.” Steve McQueen |
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Alan
Forum Moderator
Western Australia
353 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2007 : 6:50:58 PM
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John, you will get support from WA on this as we have tried in the past with no success. Let us know if you are preparing a submission or copy it to us and we will send a letter of support.
Alan Sidecar 21 WA |
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Patrick
Level 3 Member
Victoria
314 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2007 : 8:23:39 PM
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| You may even get the 'greens' to support Historic Racing with this initiative - please advise how we can support. |
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2007 : 9:38:09 PM
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| I am greenie. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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peen0_0
Level 3 Member
Victoria
224 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2007 : 12:01:29 PM
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John,as a rank novice in the sport, but a very keen one, I would like to support the use of Methanol in this case.
I find it ironic that this class is being forced to use a fuel that was not available at the time. We are told that we must "fit the period" yet these guys (& Gal's) are being directed to do the opposite in my opinion.
I can't see the class achieving any remarkable advantage with the use of Methanol, but it may reduce costs by avoiding expensive rebuilds, AND, keep the players in the field.
Cheers, Tony.(P4 Outfit) |
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Patrick
Level 3 Member
Victoria
314 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2007 : 7:53:31 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by john
I am greenie.
That is very nice to know!
I would be very interested in finding out if the fuel that you are promoting is completly sourced from Australian products.
If the product is 100% Australian then who is the company that controls the marketing in OZ.
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john
Forum Moderator
Victoria
3130 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2007 : 9:33:29 PM
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Patrick, the request to use Methanol is not based on where the stuff comes from, In can say the request in the past to use it has not been met and I just cant remember the reasons in the past, but I was approached as a Vic Based committee person ans I passed the info on for others to respond to.
Fellas, get a note to MV and MA to back the idea asap please. |
John Daley Sidecar #68
' there are those who do, those who dont do and those who undo. We must lampoon the latter." |
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Bummers
Level 3 Member
Queensland
244 Posts |
Posted - 09 Apr 2007 : 10:00:19 PM
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quote:
In can say the request in the past to use it has not been met and I just can't remember the reasons in the past,
Wasn't methanol banned by ACU at the end of '76? - mid way through the P5 period.
I guess it was too hard to rule that it should be allowed for some bikes eligible for P5 historic class but illegal for others, so it was prohibited for all.
But...I agree completely with peen0_0 that
quote:
I find it ironic that this class is being forced to use a fuel that was not available at the time. We are told that we must "fit the period" yet these guys (& Gal's) are being directed to do the opposite in my opinion.
Bummers |
“Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.” Steve McQueen |
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john feakes
Advanced Member
Victoria
791 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 4:07:55 PM
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| Hi John. I am with you on the methanol issue.It seems to me strange that it is not allowed, especially as we are being encouraged to use ethanol blend fuels for our road use. Perhaps we can instigate a proposal to put to MA on this. Are there enough active contributors to this site to get an opinion? Cheers, John |
125 RIDERS' ALLIANCE
A wise person simplifies the complicated, a fool complicates the simple. |
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Bummers
Level 3 Member
Queensland
244 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 7:10:54 PM
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I would imagine the only opposition would come from those running liquid cooled motors.  |
“Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting.” Steve McQueen |
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David
Site Administrator
Australia
999 Posts |
Posted - 25 May 2007 : 9:21:23 PM
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Hello John and welcome aboard.quote:
Originally posted by john feakes
Are there enough active contributors to this site to get an opinion?
There are quite a few users that frequent the board (with almost 200000 hits a month and 30000 plus unique visitors according to my stats), you would think a lot more would post on here.
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Regards,
David
Webmaster & Owner of Classic Motorcycling Australia
Quote: I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted to be paid. |
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Black Pete
Level 1 Member
Northern Territory
14 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2007 : 11:39:33 PM
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The P5 methanol issue was discussed by the commissioners at their recent meeting 2 weeks ago. The basic process is MA would then contact the SCB's for their thoughts (presumably they speak to the various clubs)-their comments go back to MA & are then forwarded to the commissioners for final comment- their recommendations then go to MA board who can approve or reject.
As this is Australia wide I guess it will be up to the majority to voice their approval or disapproval.
Cheers, Pete |
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