Tech Bulletin
World Leader in Race Fuel Technology™
Tech Bulletin prepared by Steve Burns, Director-Research & Development
Circle Track Racing Fuels
VP Racing has developed a portfolio of fuels for circle track
applications that are race proven to offer more
horsepower, more torque and cooler operating
temperatures than competitive fuels. Whether on dirt or
asphalt, low or high compression, the cooling effect of VP’s
fuels in particular is critical to a racer’s performance.
The demands of circle track racing applications present
their own unique challenges for a racing fuel. In low-end
applications, for example, the cooling effect of VP’s fuels
can compensate for the lack of quality radiators or other
components.
On the other hand, high compression
engines used in the elite levels of racing typically run at
sustained high speeds and loads, often in high
temperature conditions. The fuel’s impact on engine
operating temperature in such conditions can’t be
overestimated—it’s as important as maximizing power and
preventing detonation. The quality fuels listed below help
ensure engines will generate as much power on the last
lap as the first, while protecting engine components and
extending engine life.
Track Owners: Contact your regional VP distribution
center to inquire about fuel programs for participating
tracks.
VP110TM – Although the name of this fuel refers to its
R+M/2 rating so customers understand its competitive set,
the important thing to note about this nonoxygenated fuel
is its MON. At 107, it’s anything but “standard.” In fact, it’s
higher than any other 110 octane racing fuel on the
market. Like the other fuels in VP’s circle track stable,
VP110 maximizes power while running cooler. Formulated
for use in naturally aspirated engines with compression
ratios up to 13:1, it’s a good lower cost alternative.
VP113TM – VP113 offers price competitive power gains in
naturally aspirated engines with CRs up to 14:1.
Oxygenated to street gas levels, VP113 makes up to 2%
more power than competitive 110 octane fuels, with
gains of 3-4% in engine applications with poor or marginal
fuel vaporization qualities. Because of its superior
vaporization qualities, VP113 will improve throttle response
over any 110 octane fuel. Due to its oxygenation, it will
have to run richer, effectively adding 2-3 numbers to its
standard ASTM octane rating, providing even more ontrack protection against detonation.
C12TM – With better vaporization and greater energy value,
C12 makes 4-5 more horsepower than competitive
fuels with comparable octane ratings. C12’s
performance in circle track applications is best expressed
by Craig Von Dohren, a top Northeast winner in big block
Modified competition with more than 200 career feature
wins. “C12 makes more power than other fuels, but its
cooling effect is even more critical. Big block engines are
expensive and can really be hurt by overheating. By
running cooler, C12 protects my engine and helps ensure
I’ll make it to the finish.” Recommended for use in naturally
aspirated engines with CRs up to 15:1.
Late Model PlusTM – VP’s premier fuel for circle track
applications, recommended for use on 3/8 mile or greater
dirt and asphalt circle tracks in engines bigger than 400 ci
and compression ratios up to 15:1. Late Model Plus is
more effective than any fuel on the market at making
more power while suppressing engine operating
temperatures. Its motor octane (MON) is 113, the highest
of any comparable competitive fuel. As a result, it offers
what Larry Clark, of Custom Race Engines, describes as
“a wider tolerance range in tuning, a greater safety blanket
for detonation and it’s more forgiving in extreme
conditions.” With a relatively low RVP rating, Late Model
Plus also prevents problems associated with vapor lock.
Preferred by other top engine builders including Pro Power
Racing and many others, Late Model Plus is the fuel of
choice for top drivers including Scott Bloomquist, Steve
Francis, Tim McCreadie and many others.
– Q16 is highly oxygenated, requiring a 4-6%
increase in fuel flow, which contributes to making 3-5%
more power than competitors’ 116 octane fuels along
with better detonation protection. Its rapid vaporization
rate yields superior burning speed and makes more
pressure in the cylinders, both of which also make more
power. Q16’s oxygenation expands the range of air/fuel
ratio acceptability, offering more consistent performance.
Its more efficient combustion lowers exhaust gas
temperatures and in turn, engine operating temps. Despite
its oxygen content, Q16 still has relatively low vapor
pressure. Recommended for engines with CRs up to 17:1.
Q16TM
VP RACING FUELS, SAN ANTONIO, TX, USA
Sales: 210-635-7744; Tech Support: 302-521-1767 or tech@vpracingfuels.com
Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas.
Offices in Delaware, Indiana, California, Georgia; independently owned VP Distribution Centers in Florida, Kansas and
Washington; Calgary, Montreal and Toronto, Canada; Sydney, Australia
www.vpracingfuels.com
Specifications
Properties/
Typical Values
Q16
Specific Gravity @ 60ْ F
.716
Motor Octane
116
Reid Vapor Pressure
6.76
Distillation Fْ
10% Evap.
141.0
50% Evap.
174.0
90% Evap.
214.5
E.P.
260.2
Lead
Yes
Oxygenated
Yes
Color
Yellow
To maintain the original properties and comply with
always maintained in a tightly sealed container
LM+
C12
VP113
VP110
.727
113
5.52
.717
108
7.30
.719
109
7.96
.725
107
6.70
Test Method
ASTM D 4052
ASTM D 2700-86
ASTM D 323
ISO 33405
171.6
131.0
135.7
147.0
213.3
194.0
188.8
211.0
221.3
228.0
225.7
223.0
241.4
233.3
262.9
253.0
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
ASTM D 3237
No
No
Yes
No
Elem Analysis
Aqua
Green
Green
Purple
Health and Safety regulations, fuels should be handled and stored in a cool place and
The Relative Importance of Octane Ratings
One of the most frequently asked technical questions we
get at VP involves the difference between Motor,
Research and R+M/2 Octane Numbers. The next most
frequently asked question is why some fuel companies
represent their fuels with Motor Octane Numbers, while
other companies use Research or R+M/2 Octane
Numbers.
Realize first that octane is a measurement of a fuel’s
ability to resist detonation, nothing more, and the
machines created to test these ratings were designed in
the 1930s. They were designed to test for octane
numbers from the 0-100 range, therefore, any number
above 100 is an extrapolation. Both of these machines
are dinosaurs and aren’t adequate for today's high tech
fuels or engines, but they’re still the only means available
for testing fuels. These machines are one-cylinder
engines with an adjustable head that can move up or
down to increase or lower the compression ratio while
the engine is running. The Motor and Research
machines are the same in this respect, but they differ in
several
other
characteristics.
The following is a comparison of the two machines used
for testing octane numbers:
Motor Machine
As the comparison above shows, the Motor Octane
machine runs at a higher RPM, hotter temperature and
more timing. This machine will put more stress on any fuel
and more accurately simulates a racing engine. VP always
uses Motor Octane Numbers when advertising our fuel
because our fuels are used exclusively for racing
applications. The Research Octane machine will always
produce a higher number for the obvious reason that it
doesn’t put the same amount of stress on the fuel. This
number is used by some fuel companies to trick the racer
into thinking he/she is getting a better fuel. The R+M/2
Octane Number is the average of the Research and Motor
Octane numbers and is the number displayed with yellow
labels
on
retail
gas
pumps.
When comparing fuels for racing purposes make sure to
compare Motor Octane Numbers because this is the rating
that counts in your racing applications.
But bear in mind a fuel’s ability to prevent detonation is a
function of more than just octane. For example, most of
VP’s fuels—oxygenated or nonoxygenated—vaporize
much better than comparable competitive fuels. This
means it cools the intake charge and burns faster. As a
result, the “effective” octane rating of VP’s fuels is even
higher than the octane test indicates, and they will prevent
detonation better than competitive fuels with similar MONs.
Research Machine
Fuel
MON
VP Q16
VP Late Model Plus
Sunoco HCR+
Sunoco Supreme
VP113
Turbo Blue Advantage
VP C12
VP110
Sunoco Standard
Turbo Blue 110
VP105
116
113
110
110
109
108.5
108
107
105
105
TBD
RPM
900
600
INTAKE
TEMP.
300 DEGREES F
120 DEGREES F
TIMING
VARIABLE BASIC
SETTING 26
DEGREES
FIXED AT 13
DEGREES
(DOES NOT
CHANGE)
07/09
World Leader in Race Fuel Technology TM