MEDIA RELEASE- For Immediate
Release, October 18 2005
ELF RACE FUELS AUSTRALIA READY FOR ‘SHOWCASE
EVENT’
The Lexmark Indy 300
on the Gold Coast this weekend will be the culmination of twelve months
of work for Elf Race Fuels Australia, supplier of the control methanol
race fuel that will be used by the Champ Cars at the event.
A massive
logistical and organisational undertaking will all be put to the test
on Friday morning, when cars from the Champ Car World Series take
to the track for their first practice session of the weekend.
“We started
on this journey twelve months ago, before the event last year, discussing
the possibility of putting our hand up to do this job,” said
Phillip Mutton, Elf Race Fuels Australia distributor in Queensland.
“We spoke
to the Champ Car technical people at the event last year and I got
a response from them about ten days after the event. It fell off the
radar a little until February, when I got back in touch with Champ
Car, and within two days we were in discussion with IMG [Lexmark Indy
300 event organisers].”
Since the decision
to tender for the control methanol race fuel supplier role, a lot
has been organised and put in place well ahead of this weekends racing.
People, equipment and – of course – Elf's premium quality
racing methanol, are all among the things which needed to be organised.
“It has been
a large undertaking, but not an insurmountable one,” says Mutton.
“For myself,
it has been a large learning curve, but quite an enjoyable one, I
must say.
“If we are
successful for the next few years, which we would certainly like to
be, I would find it a lot easier next time, because we will have the
experience and knowledge we have gained from this year."
During the course
of the race weekend, the Champ Car field will use over 23,000 litres
of Elf’s premium quality methanol race fuel. On hand to oversee
the operations during the weekend will be around a dozen staff representing
Elf Australia.
“In addition
to the Elf Race Fuels Australia staff, we have trained personnel such
as a tanker driver and forklift operator, which will play a part in
the weekend’s operations.
“We have
two tankers organised. One will be a stationary tanker for the pits;
the other is a mobile tanker. Representatives from our chemical supply
company will be coming onsite to ensure that it’s all correct
and right.
“Two of our
crew will be at the track on Tuesday evening to put the tanker in
place. On Wednesday morning we’ll be back to ensure that it’s
all safe and well. We will drain and clean the supply hoses to ensure
that they are clean and there is no contamination, and we’ll
be there in force from about 6:30 on Thursday morning.”
The event is an
important part of Elf Race Fuels Australia’s involvement in
Australian motorsport, which also includes the roles of control fuel
suppliers to championships such as the Globalstar Australian Rally
Championship and the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship.
“This is
our showcase event,” said Elf Race Fuels Australia’s Tony
Hatton.
“All Elf
Australia distributors are working together for this event, to show
the world that we as Elf Race Fuels Australia are a strong, united
and professional front. Our interest is motorsport and our primary
interest is in supplying a complete, perfect product.
“We have
all been involved in motorsport for many years and all our hearts
are in motorsport, so we have worked hard and to ensure that it is
all correct and that our role in the event goes smoothly.”
For more information on Elf Race
Fuels Australia’s product range and how they can play a part
in your motorsport program, head to www.racefuels.com.au
or contact your local distributor;
New South Wales:
Tony Hatton, Hi -Tec Fuels Pty Ltd, 02 4659 6396
Queensland: Phil Mutton, Motorsport Fuels QLD, 07
3269 6823
South Australia: Craig Rundle, Performance Fuels
SA, 1300 726 084
Tasmania: Dean Bucknell, Devonport Performance Tyres,
03 6427 0700
Victoria: Mark Tierney, Race Fuels Pty Ltd, 03 9686
2273
