171 replies to this topic

[Danica Davison]

Fun weekend at Sebring Majors! My first time there and had a blast learning the track and racing with some of the best in the country. From my perspective on the grid the larger parity problem is drivers. I was fortunate enough to compare my data with Danny and found out where I was loosing time and it was not from my motor. That being said, I support the invasive tech as I feel it is keeping the cars closer and making the racing better for all. My biggest disappointment of the weekend, however, was running behind a certain group of cars and smelling someone’s ‘special fuel’. Watering eyes and massive headache afterwards. Smelled it both daze! Please come to Atlanta Majors with that nonsense as there will be a special ‘pee’ cup waiting for your sample. Promise.

 

Big thanks to Tom and the OPM crew as always. Car ran perfectly all weekend. Thanks to Danny for helping me get up to speed and to Skip for working together on the track.

Also, shout out to the Autotechnik guys and to Mark Gibbons for hosting the SM meeting (beer & pizza) and Todd Lamb for the killa grill out Sat night. Hope to see everyone in Atlanta.

 

Peace

Stupid question, how much of an advantage does race fuel really play?? 

[Jim Drago]

Stupid question, how much of an advantage does race fuel really play?? 

 3-5 hp depending on how bad it smells!

[Danica Davison]

 3-5 hp depending on how bad it smells!

 

Lets just give that to the 1.6's and call it a day

[Danica Davison]

On second thought, don't like that idea as that would get expensive lol. Did not know it gave that big of advantage though . Interesting

[Todd Lamb]

$40/gallon isn't THAT bad. LOL

[38bfast]

For the most part cheater fuels are a thing of the past. Largely due to Steve and his POG (plain old gas) campaign. Thanks Steve. Maybe anounter round of stickes Steve.

[Jim Drago]

For the most part cheater fuels are a thing of the past. Largely due to Steve and his POG (plain old gas) campaign. Thanks Steve. Maybe anounter round of stickes Steve.

That and Dave Gomberg and the GC test now available for all to protest for $250

[suck fumes]

Anything near $20/gallon for a freakin Miata is just stupid. I could see using $12/gal VP gas for a real race motor but not for a stock Miata.

[suck fumes]

If you want a cheap fuel that makes power just mix 1 gallon of E85 and 4 gallons of 93 and shake it up haha

[LarryKing]

 

For the most part cheater fuels are a thing of the past.

 

In the Great Lakes I agree.

 

When I make a road trip to the SE Div I still catch an occasional whiff of white lightnin.

[Jim Drago]

Anything near $20/gallon for a freakin Miata is just stupid. I could see using $12/gal VP gas for a real race motor but not for a stock Miata.

$12 VP fuel in a real race motor does all but nothing, no advantage. .. $25 per gallon in SM engine provides as much of an advantage as the best pro motor ever to a very average one, so very significant and why so many including myself ran the fuel when it was compliant.  If $25 a gallon fuel was legal and provided a 3 HP advantage it would be hard not to run it less some agreement. I think at this point though with the GC test, nothing the fuel guys can brew up makes any power that is legal or will pass that test. The E85 concoction is also illegal as the ethanol content would be way too high  

[Todd Lamb]

Last time I smelled fuel was at COTA a few years ago, and we all knew who exactly who was running it. Probably just had some "left over" from his SRF entry (and I don't mean Charbs).

[suck fumes]

I know the VP is no adv I was just making the point that spending a lot per gallon is only needed in a high compression race motor to prevent detonation. I was just saying I could only validate spending that much per gallon if that were the case. The E85 is just as illegal as the other $25/gal stuff but is only $1.65/gal. So if your going to cheat, might as well be Eco friendly and not hurt the health of your fellow competitors haha

[MPR22]

Last time I smelled fuel was at COTA a few years ago, and we all knew who exactly who was running it. Probably just had some "left over" from his SRF entry (and I don't mean Charbs).

Same guy was DQ'd in the late fall at TWS for running the same fuel.   Didn't show back up on Sunday because he said he didn't want to have to re-tune the car to run POG.

[Ron Alan]

Same guy was DQ'd in the late fall at TWS for running the same fuel.   Didn't show back up on Sunday because he said he didn't want to have to re-tune the car to run POG.

Darwin award winner!

[KW78]

I've never run illegal fuel, but I've seen here it make 6HP difference at our local dyno.

 

I thought the $40 was in fact legal (35 gallon drum quantity only, $1400).  The only restriction is if it passes the fuel test, and it passes the fuel test 75% of the time.  I thought SCCA didn't care about fuel making HP, just the side effects that people have to its fumes.

 

Maybe that is old information.

 

I thought the reason the illegal fuel fell by the wayside, was the requirement to buy control fuel at the sprints and runoffs.

 

Also, isn't it true E85 is legal in nasa? I know lots of turbo guys that use it. 

 

Kyle

[James York]

The SCCA really cracked down on fuel rules a couple years ago.  Between the di-electric at the track, and the GC which can be run, it eliminates about everything except pump gas or common race fuels.

[Jim Drago]

 

 

I thought the $40 was in fact legal (35 gallon drum quantity only, $1400).  The only restriction is if it passes the fuel test, and it passes the fuel test 75% of the time.  I thought SCCA didn't care about fuel making HP, just the side effects that people have to its fumes.

 

Maybe that is old information.

 

 

 

Kyle

 

That was accurate, but many of the fuels that used to pass the old tests will not pass the GC test. 

[wheel]

The fuel testing issue took a lot of time and effort on the part of several members of the CRB, mainly Dave Gomberg.  He worked hundreds of hours on the problem (with others) and came up with specs and testing methods that are used to varying degrees around the country.  In Midiv, they check fuel at just about every race.  As one who suffers from some asthma problems, the exotic fuels that some were running in SM were borderline poison to me.  When the high dollar stuff was common, I could not be in the paddock with a large group of Spec Miatas without experiencing breathing problems.  If it is worth a few hp to you to poison fellow SCCA members, a pox on you and yours. 

At any rate, if these fuels make a comeback, I will see to it that fuel testing is expanded throughout the system and it won't be a "move to the back of the finishing order" if you use this poison.

wheel

[Jamz14]

The fuel testing issue took a lot of time and effort on the part of several members of the CRB, mainly Dave Gomberg.  He worked hundreds of hours on the problem (with others) and came up with specs and testing methods that are used to varying degrees around the country.  In Midiv, they check fuel at just about every race.  As one who suffers from some asthma problems, the exotic fuels that some were running in SM were borderline poison to me.  When the high dollar stuff was common, I could not be in the paddock with a large group of Spec Miatas without experiencing breathing problems.  If it is worth a few hp to you to poison fellow SCCA members, a pox on you and yours. 

At any rate, if these fuels make a comeback, I will see to it that fuel testing is expanded throughout the system and it won't be a "move to the back of the finishing order" if you use this poison.

wheel

Can I ask what it will be?