HEAD OF DIVISION, GAS AND LIQUID FUELS DIVISION

DEPARTMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17A OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 FOR VARIATION OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS (PETROL) DETERMINATION 2024 AND THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS (ETHANOL E85) DETERMINATION 2024 – VP RACING FUELS PTY LIMITED (EXPIRY 30 JUNE 2027)

I, Paula Svarcas, Head of Division, Gas and Liquid Fuels Division, delegate of the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, provide the following information concerning my decision under section 17D of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) to vary an existing approval made under section 13 of the Act.

Name of approval holder

VP Racing Fuels Pty Limited (ABN 55 099 469 799)

Details of the approval

The existing approval to VP Racing Fuels Pty Limited was granted to vary the Fuel Quality Standards (Petrol) Determination 2024 (Petrol Standard) and the Fuel Quality Standards (Ethanol E85) Determination 2024 (E85 Standard) to permit the supply of specialist racing fuels.

This approval extends the variation to the Petrol Standard so that fuel containing:

a maximum diisopropyl ether (DIPE) content of 25% v/v
a maximum methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) content of 55% v/v
a maximum olefins content of 55% v/v
a maximum oxygen content of 9.5% m/m

is taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the Petrol Standard in respect of the supply of specialist racing fuels.

This approval extends the variation to the E85 Standard so that fuel containing:

a maximum Ethers-5 or more C atoms content of 20% v/v

is taken to comply with the relevant parameters specified in the E85 Standard in respect of the supply of specialist racing fuels.

Pursuant to paragraphs 13A(1) and (2) of the Act, the listed approval comes into force on the date of approval and remains in force for the period specified in the approval (being until 30 June 2027). 

Summary of reasons for the approval

Having consulted with the Fuel Standards Consultative Committee as required by section 24A of the Act, I grant the approval with regard to matters specified under section 15 of the Act, in particular:

(a) The protection of the environment

The specialist racing fuels subject to this approval are supplied in sealed drums ranging from 19 litres to 200 litres. The fuel is used in small quantities for motorsport activities in controlled environments. These events have strict protocols in place for storage, handling and spill management. Fuels will be sold in approved dangerous goods containers which comply with the Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail.

Motorsport events have protocols in place to reduce environmental impacts. The fuelling area is managed using environmental fuel spill kits, mats, bunding and other equipment to reduce any risk of impact to the environment.

More generally, the strict management of the motorsport industry results in fewer emissions released into the environment from the use of specialist racing fuels. Racing vehicle engines are tuned specifically to the type of racing fuel used, which aids in achieving more complete combustion. These fuels generally have low levels of impurities and only trace levels of chemicals such as sulfur and phosphorus compared to pump fuels, and therefore often burn cleaner.

With these packaging and supply protocols in place, it is expected that the specialist racing fuels supplied by VP Racing Fuels Pty Limited under this approval will not have any material adverse impact on the environment.

(b) The protection of occupational and public health and safety

The fuels subject to this approval are not likely to have a significant impact on the health and safety of users as the volume of fuel used is low, highly controlled and confined to racing vehicles. These fuels will generally be used by competitors at events in large outdoor areas.

Specialist racing fuels are supplied in sealed containers of up to 200 litres capacity and are used in small quantities. Safety data sheets are provided to each consumer outlining the health risks, how to mitigate any associated risks, and penalties associated with the failure to safely store and manage the fuels.

Occupational and public health and safety risks resulting from short-term and intermittent use of these fuels will be minimised through the conditions of approval.

Enabling the supply of specialist racing fuels through VP Racing Fuels Pty Limited’s section 13 approval provides a fuel that is professionally produced and safely made available for racing consumers.

Specialist racing fuels meet the needs of a niche market for specific categories of motor racing. Participants use vehicles with engines built and manufactured to the international fuel specifications set by racing organisations. Consumers seek the performance and operability characteristics provided by these fuels. If the supply of racing fuels in Australia is inadequate, racing participants would need to blend their own fuels, leading to increased environmental and safety risks to competitors and the community.

(d) The impact on economic and regional development

Motorsport events are regularly held in regional Australian areas and provide an ongoing benefit to these regional communities by generating income and opportunities for growth. Limiting the continued and controlled supply of specialist racing fuels would have an adverse effect on national and regional motorsport competitions and the economic benefits that would flow from them.

………………………………………………………………………….

Paula Svarcas

Head of Division

Gas and Liquid Fuels

10 June 2025