Originally Posted by Jim Caughlin (Post 651551)

The only comment I can make on this subject is the cost of the fuel that I consume at a race (and I'm running C16 which isn't cheap) is probably the least expensive part of the weekend. If the difference in cost between one of the lesser expensive race fuels and pump gas is going to break you, you're probably in the wrong sport.

Originally Posted by Jim Parsons (Post 651507)

Darrell, regarding your question about pump gas being quicker than race gas this is my assessment based on study and some actual race experience. Race gas is really about “octane rating” to prevent detonation and not about being more powerful.

With the laws and liabilities limiting lead content the race gas companies had to start using lots of “additives” to boost the octane level, that’s also the sweet smell you get. Today there isn’t much “gas” in race gas, another reason it cost more. These additives hurt power in a couple of ways they burn slow during combustion which changes their pressure rise on the piston and spreads it over a longer period which helps with potential detonation but not power. You typically can run a little less ignition timing with lower octane fuel. Actually the biggest reason is lower octane pump gas typically has more BTU’s of energy per pound than our legal race gas! So in your case with relative low compression you don’t need the octane to counter detonation it then makes sense that it will be faster when used. I proved this to myself when living in Denver as I took race gas out of my stocker and replaced with pump gas and picked up a tenth! This was back before specific race gas’ was mandated by NHRA and the old pump gas was still legal.
Why then do we run race gas? A couple of reasons, when pump gas had to comply with clean air regulations and started adding oxygenated additives, i.e. corn alcohol + other things NHRA’s compliance testing at the time for fuel went out the window. By them restricting us to Race gas they could set tight standards for each and compare when testing at the track, that’s why we have to declare our fuel type and brand. The other reason I suspect is they saw an additional money $$ source from the Fuel companies as each has to pay to be on the “accepted” fuel list.

I'm not saying you cant add "stuff" to gas and make it more powerful such as ERC and VP does with some of there highly originated fuels but those are thankfully not on our approved list as they are harmful and more expensive.

Hope this helps and yes there is more to the story but this is my quick take on your question.

Jim Parsons

(Past FIA international Fuel and Lubricant Committee member)


FYI: I tried sending this to you as a private message but it said you box was full.

Originally Posted by ken robinson (Post 651221)

Wow no fuel check , alittle nitro goes alone way my friend . If your looking to save money on race fuel shop around or buy in bulk with a friend and store it correctly ...Just saying ...

Originally Posted by Darrel Goheen (Post 651724)

No fuel check levels the playing field doesn't it? IE, everyone can use whatever fuel they choose. If you choose to burn nitro so can everyone else if they want. My car probably couldn't light nitro. ;)

Originally Posted by 1347 (Post 651844)

It may level the playing field, but it wouldn’t lower the cost. What was the stuff guys were mixing in their fuel years ago? It wasn’t cheap, or safe, but it was fast. That would be the standard if it was allowed. Very few would run pump gas in my opinion, and we wouldn’t solve anything.

Originally Posted by Darrel Goheen (Post 651724)

No fuel check levels the playing field doesn't it? IE, everyone can use whatever fuel they choose. If you choose to burn nitro so can everyone else if they want. My car probably couldn't light nitro. ;)

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven (Post 651886)

There’s a safety factor to also consider. If you get some of the really well-connected guys especially chemically they be adding stuff to fuel that probably would be dangerous to inhale and be around. I don’t think the NHRA wants their people to get sick from checking fuel that has unknown chemicals added to it.

Originally Posted by Tim H (Post 651933)

Nitrous Oxide explosion/ back fire on starting line @ Indy.

Originally Posted by Mike Jones (Post 652006)

I thought something happed in the pits during warm up.
Keystones late 80`s???
I used to think my memory was pretty solid, not so much anymore.

Originally Posted by Mike Jones (Post 651930)

What caused the explosion that happened to a Mopar Pro Stock Team years ago?. I believe it happened at a National event...

Originally Posted by Dave Noll (Post 652023)

This was the Alderman/Geoffrion incident.
Attachment 61198

Originally Posted by Dave Noll (Post 652175)

Someone broke into their shop and took a BFH to their engines, cars were not touched. And spray painted "see you in E'town'" with an Olds symbol next to. WJ raced Oldmobiles @ that time.

Originally Posted by Rsmith38 (Post 651653)

I was using C9 when I was #1 Qualifier at Epping in R/SA. The next year at the epping natinal at fuel check they said C9 is not on the approved list? Took 2 weeks before Brian got back to me and said no one was using it??? Had to switch to C10. Us little Guys don't count!!!
1051 Q/SA

Originally Posted by Rose Racing (Post 652659)

Anyone else here ever try C10?

Originally Posted by Billy Nees (Post 651196)

ERC