Update: Elf Racing Methanol: The Facts & Why it's the best
01 March 2010
The History Behind Elf Methanol
In the late 1990s and early 2000s Elf (French motorsport division) was producing a number of methanol compatible lubricants. Elf HTX 098 was a very popular lubricity additive.
The directive from Elf was clear, we could only sell the methanol lubricants if we were willing and able to source 99+% pure methanol. This “racing grade” methanol would ensure that the customers would get the most from the Elf compatible lubricants. Often the lubricant is blamed for problems caused by a bad batch of methanol.
Unfortunately the market for Methanol compatible lubricants was far too small for TOTAL (new owners of Elf and Elf racing in Europe) and the HTX methanol lubricants are no longer produced. The need for Racing Methanol in Australia however still exists.
The Process behind the scenes
To achieve batch qualities of 99.93+% pure methanol is no easy task. The following are the steps taken by Elf Australia to ensure our customers are provided with 99.93+% pure methanol:
1, Plant advises Elf Australia that 99.93% pure (or better) batch is available
2, Batch test confirms pure product
3, 99.93+% pure methanol sourced from methanol plant
4, Small batch of 99.93% pure product is purchased by Elf Australia
5, Dedicated pure methanol fuel lines are used from plant to truck
6, Dedicated tanker truck carries methanol to drumming facility
7, Batch test again confirms pure product
8, Elf methanol is now drummed into red drums with white top, note new non painted bungs are used with Elf Methanol drums, lower quality methanol is sold with painted bungs, we have had reports that the paint flakes and gets into the fuel.
9, Drums are held in DG quarantine storage
10, Random sampling again insures 99.93+% pure methanol in drums.
11, Drums are available to Elf customers
It is important to note that Elf’s small batch drum runs are designed to last only one month. This limits the storage time for the Elf Methanol. No Elf methanol is batched or stored from May to August (off season).
Why “INDY GRADE”?
The US based Champ Car series held a popular round on the streets of Surfers Paradise, unfortunately inferior methanol had caused headaches for the Indycar teams, Elf was approached by the Champ Car management to supply a racing methanol. Champ Car had not been receiving 99% pure methanol and the engines had suffered in the heat of the Gold Coast Round. It is Elf’s commitment to quality that assured Elf as the official supplier of methanol race fuel to the 2005 and 2006 Lexmark Indy 300 Champ Car events. The “Indy Grade” tag adopted by the Americans has stuck with the Elf methanol product ever since.
The Proof we have a great product
Australian Elf Agents collectively supplied over 250,000litres of Elf Racing Methanol for the 2008/09 season. This equates to over 1250 drums. There was NOT ONE blown engine or unhappy customer. It is staggering when you consider that a quarter of a million litres sold from Perth to Darwin to Townsville to Brisbane to Syndey to Melbourne to Adelaide.
Who are the Agents for Elf Racing Methanol around Australia?
Western Australia and South Australia:
Watsons Express Transport Pty Ltd
Phone: (08) 9258 4855
Mobile: 0428 834 753
Email: robert@watsonexpress.com.au
NSW Sydney
American Tires & Racing Service
Phone: (02) 9756 6001
Email: info@americanracingtires.com
NSW Newcastle:
Black Hill Transport
Phone: (02) 4930 3132
Mobile: 0428 497 265
Email: williams.bros@idl.net.au
Queensland
Motorsport Fuels QLD
Phone: (07) 3269 6823
Mobile Number: 0427 691 427
email: sanddrive@bigpond.com
Victoria
Race Fuels Pty Ltd
Phone: (03) 9686 8645
Mobile: 0419 511 517 |
