GULL TO CEASE E85 FUEL

Massive news from the automotive industry that heavily affects not only street cars but also motorsports. New Zealand petroleum giant Gull New Zealand has announced that it will be permanently withdrawing Force Pro (E85) from its retail sites and sales to third-party suppliers.

The news comes after disruption to blending of Gull Force Pro due to the ethanol supply constraints that saw a shortage of the product. Primary ethanol supplier, Fonterra, notified Gull early in the year that the local drought was limiting production and importing ethanol has proven to be “a drawn-out process and not a viable long-term option”, according to a Gull statement.

“With limited local supply and imports, we can only obtain enough ethanol to support one fuel grade and we will continue to blend Gull Force 10 (E10), which remains available at most North Island Gull sites for the foreseeable future,” the statement continues.

“We thank all of our Gull Force Pro fans, weekend warriors and semi-pros alike, as well as our very own Gull athletes and partners, for your loyalty and support over the past years. We have loved seeing you run your beasts on the good stuff and have thoroughly enjoyed witnessing communities of motorsport out on the track and gravel, so devoted to their hobbies and passion projects.

“We would also like to make a shout-out to our good friends at the Autostore, proud suppliers of Gull Force Pro drums, who will endeavour to blend their own E85 moving forward, pending ethanol supplies.”