Fuel Check What's the point???

[Dennis Banach]

I have been away from class racing for quite a few years so I`ll start from the beginning of my recent experience ,right before the "Dutch Classic" last year I was given the opportunity to borrow a car for the race,the car had sat under a cover outside for about 1 year it had approx. 1/2 tank of C12 in it.

The car needed some minor work and and we did not have a lot of time to get it ready, Dennis Chapman (The cars Owner) Thought we should drain the fuel and add fresh to be sure it would pass fuel check,to make a long story short I did not drain it but brought some empty jugs along just in case,I also purchased 5 gal.s of fresh C12, Prior to the 1st. Qualifying pass I ran the car over the scales and had the old and new fuel checked,both passed!

One thing that Dennis told me to do was a soon as your done drawing the sample from the car was to cover the container with the palm of your other hand as you walk it over to the table,I have not seen this mentioned and I don`t know if it matters but I have not had a problem with fuel check.(Checked 8 times this year)

Fast forward to last weekend at Englishtown we set the C/FS record, as many of you know when you set the record you are given a tech card with the car weight and fuel test #s and the engine is sealed,then on the back up run the weight and fuel numbers are are recorded again,here`s the thing that struck me funny, the same fuel was in the car, we did not add a drop after the 1 st. run but the fuel check numbers on the card were different ! It passed both times but I wonder why there was a difference a few hours latter? Maybe temperature has something to do with it?

With fuel cost being what it is I do think that if fuel checks lower then it should you should be allowed to run it. Just my opinion!

[Mike Croley]

Originally Posted by Dennis Banach

I have been away from class racing for quite a few years so I`ll start from the beginning of my recent experience ,right before the "Dutch Classic" last year I was given the opportunity to borrow a car for the race,the car had sat under a cover outside for about 1 year it had approx. 1/2 tank of C12 in it.

The car needed some minor work and and we did not have a lot of time to get it ready, Dennis Chapman (The cars Owner) Thought we should drain the fuel and add fresh to be sure it would pass fuel check,to make a long story short I did not drain it but brought some empty jugs along just in case,I also purchased 5 gal.s of fresh C12, Prior to the 1st. Qualifying pass I ran the car over the scales and had the old and new fuel checked,both passed!

One thing that Dennis told me to do was a soon as your done drawing the sample from the car was to cover the container with the palm of your other hand as you walk it over to the table,I have not seen this mentioned and I don`t know if it matters but I have not had a problem with fuel check.(Checked 8 times this year)

Fast forward to last weekend at Englishtown we set the C/FS record, as many of you know when you set the record you are given a tech card with the car weight and fuel test #s and the engine is sealed,then on the back up run the weight and fuel numbers are are recorded again,here`s the thing that struck me funny, the same fuel was in the car, we did not add a drop after the 1 st. run but the fuel check numbers on the card were different ! It passed both times but I wonder why there was a difference a few hours latter? Maybe temperature has something to do with it?

With fuel cost being what it is I do think that if fuel checks lower then it should you should be allowed to run it. Just my opinion!

There are a number of chemical additions to race gas that would make it test "lower" than spec but would increase performance. Meaning that a fuel could be off spec because it's old, because it's contaminated, or because it's been doctored.
Renegade Racing Fuels were just added to the accepted fuels lists this season and every grade submitted was very carefully tested by NHRA to be sure the spec sample was representative.

[JOE ZOOM]

After reading many of the post on this topic the conclusion is obvious.The gas companys are providing us with fuel that has a shelf life of somewere between a year and a day.Well maybe its my fault i didnt hold my hand over my cup during fuel check.Or worst then that I let the sunlight hit it or I forgot to make the sign of the cross when im fuel the car up,that must be it.We are paying a premium for a product and when that product doesnt do what its suppose to do YOU did something wrong.

Joe Mocci
1424 m/sa

[Andys dad]

Originally Posted by JOE ZOOM

After reading many of the post on this topic the conclusion is obvious.The gas companys are providing us with fuel that has a shelf life of somewere between a year and a day.Well maybe its my fault i didnt hold my hand over my cup during fuel check.Or worst then that I let the sunlight hit it or I forgot to make the sign of the cross when im fuel the car up,that must be it.We are paying a premium for a product and when that product doesnt do what its suppose to do YOU did something wrong.

Joe Mocci
1424 m/sa

Fix the test - the fuel check guys do their very best to help us but they do not make the rules if you show up as a DQ on a run - YOU ARE ILLEGAL - whether they say that or not - ask any one in any sport what DQ means

They do not know what they are testing for and the TEST IS FLAWED - it is not the few guys who know what they are doing and occasionaly - seemingly randomly are accused of cheating without using the word - I say throw them out of the race and then more of you guys would get it and tell NHRA to FIX THE TEST - the reason they don't kick you out is they know the TEST IS FLAWED

I suppose if they told you - if you roll up one pant leg above the knee when you walk your fuel over you will pass - 85% you guys would do it and believe it - LMAO

THE TEST IS FLAWED

Ron

BTW - a higher number does not mean more power just like a low number does not mean less power - Geez you guys get a grip - learn what they are testing for specifically and how the test actually works

[Mike Croley]

Originally Posted by JOE ZOOM

After reading many of the post on this topic the conclusion is obvious.The gas companys are providing us with fuel that has a shelf life of somewere between a year and a day.Well maybe its my fault i didnt hold my hand over my cup during fuel check.Or worst then that I let the sunlight hit it or I forgot to make the sign of the cross when im fuel the car up,that must be it.We are paying a premium for a product and when that product doesnt do what its suppose to do YOU did something wrong.

Joe Mocci
1424 m/sa

Properly cared for, race gas has a shelf life of approx. 2 years unopened. After being opened it's half of that. It can still be used, it just might not have the performance that it did when fresh.
Anytime the racer plays a part in the fuel check process, then it's up to the racer to be certain he's doing his part correctly. You should use a very clean container for the sample. You should cover the sample to keep out contaminants. .You should always keep the sample out of direct sunlight.
As for paying a premium for a product that doesn't do what it should, change brands.

[cicero819]

Racing gas will go bad if exposed to the sun, same reason that the sun rays can over time make a tire rot or kill a good paint job. The sun separates the lead from the fuel, it's ultraviolet rays will come through lighter colored jugs. Vp use to recommends red colored jugs, the darker the better. If you can buy VP 5-gallon fuel jugs for sale at most races do it. 55 gallon drums are the best since they're lined with Teflon but ot always feasible. Remember keep the fuel cool, away from the sun and high temperatures.CR