Bad batch of gas strands drivers

Friday, July 18, 2008

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This Tampa gas station shut down for most of the day due to a bad batch of gas.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The RaceTrac gas station at 6501 West Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa was shut down for most of the day Friday after some drivers reported problems with their cars after pumping gas there.

Debra Johnson pumped about $10 worth of gas Friday morning and she said, "As soon as I pulled away from the gas station I got to the first red light, which was about a block away, it started sputtering and my engine light came on."

A tow truck driver came to the rescue.

"He asked me, he said, 'You didn't happen to just get your gas at RaceTrac did you?' I replied, 'Yes,'" Johnson said. "And he said, 'The vehicle that I have on here now already did the same thing.'"

More Information

According to RaceTrac corporate attorney Phil Gura, the cause of the problem was a bad batch of gas.

He told Bay News 9 by phone "Initial assessments point to the delivery of a bad batch. The company is now pursuing the issue with the supplier. RaceTrac stands behind our gasoline. So we would make good on any wrong experienced by our customers."

Gura said no other RaceTracs in the Bay area have been affected. In addition, all other RaceTracs in the area have been alerted about the situation.

Johnson is now without her 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, which she described as "running like a dream" until Friday.

"The prices are with gas as it is. And then to go and get what you think is gas and have your car ruined," Johnson said. "I don't really know what water in your gas tank does until now."

"I've taken my car to the dealership and they just gave me a quote on it and it's going to be $1,100, and I don't have that kind of money to put out."

RaceTrac agreed to take care of Johnson's repair bill and provide her with a rental car. In the meantime RaceTrac is is emptying out every drum to be replaced with a new batch of gasoline or fuel.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to the situation but determined there was nothing criminal going on.

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