Note: I've CC'd a known authority on the subject and expect Richard will
point out all/any errors I've made. I'll forward any replies of his.
They have not outlawed the high octane leaded fuels. Far from it in
fact. It sounds like you have a somewhat confused Tech inspector. This
is not uncommon on this issue.
What was happening is that a very small number of competitors in what
are essentially spec classes (F*, SR*, AS) were running exotic fuels and
additives which were driving up the cost of racing (@ tens of dollars
per gallon) rather dramatically as well as making their fellow
competitors ill. The effects on corner workers, paddock, etc was also a
concern. There is one unconfirmed report of a tear off melting on a
competitor's helmet while behind one of these folks on a grid.
As a result, SCCA took fairly swift action (took about 6 months) to
outlaw the exotic fuels and additives. In doing so, it created a rather
complex set if rules in an effort to get the desired effect. Fuel
testing is now part of the SCCA game (as it is in nearly every other
form of motor racing nowadays), though not often done on a regional
level. The net net is that you should read the rules on gas.
IIRC, the rules also *suggest* the testers test fuel straight from the
pumps as well as gas from the cars on any given weekend.
*If* I recall correctly, the general rule is street cars (AS, IT*, SS)
should be using unleaded fuel as available from the gas station, while
everyone else should be using high octane leaded gas from the track
pumps. BUT the rule, as with all rules, is rather imperfectly written
*and* I may be recalling incorrectly. I know there is an issue with the
IT and Prod Mazdas because they need a small amount of oil mixed in to
the fuel. The two stroke 500's have their own exception as well. Grab a
copy of the rules and read them. And keep them close by.
But Cam2 or other 'race' gas should pass and you should be fine *if*:
You have not mixed it with street 'pump' gas
You have not mixed it with any additives
It is relatively fresh
You race in a class which allows it.
My personal issue is that:
a) It forces me to buy $4.50/gal race fuel when standard $1.95/gal
pump gas was fine for me in my FV
b) Some cars actually run better on low octane fuel (rotaries)
requiring them to run race gas is a disadvantage.
But, on the flip side, in the interest of safety, I'm willing to put up
with it.
Bob
WEmery7451@aol.com wrote:
>
> Dear Foters,
>
> Yesterday, I attended a SCCA, Steel Cities Region meeting at John Walko's
> garage. The subject was fuel testing. Our head Tech. Inspector was there.
> Club members were bringing samples of their gasoline to be tested. I was
> asked what kind of fuel I had been using. My answer was the leaded Sunoco
> Cam 2 or the Nascar 76 gasoline's. I was informed that this fuel might not
> pass.
>
> My questions were: Is SCCA trying to eliminate itself again? Every old
> engine or big bore high compression engine is using the high octane leaded
> gasoline's. Are they going to flunk all of the fuels supplied at the tracks?
> The answer was that some of the Regular low octane street gasoline's will
> fail. Unfortunately, I did not have a Cam-2 sample with me to be tested.
>
> Apparently, some racers are buying $30/gallon fuels or using exotic additives
> for more power. The results are that they are stinking out grid and corner
> workers, and making them sick. These fuels also ruin engines, but the
> wealthily racers are just paying mechanics to replace their engine for every
> weekend.
>
> I am sure that most of this membership is further ahead than I am on this
> subject, and that I might be completely off-base.
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