Tech Bulletin
Advancing the Science of Motorsports™
Tech Bulletin prepared by Steve Burns, Director-Research & Development
Motorcycle Racing Fuels
MR Series -- VP Racing’s MR series fuels are all AMA-legal for
their respective applications and designed to make the maximum
power within AMA fuel rule specifications. The MR Series fuels
run substantially cleaner than any other motorcycle-specific
fuel. Teardowns of factory team engines revealed that MR fuels
ran significantly cleaner in intake and exhaust valves. Keeping the
intake track and valves deposit-free is important to maintain
proper airflow and full power for the entire race.
NEW! MR10TM – MR10 is our newest fuel for 4-stroke road
racing where lower octane can be tolerated. It’s targeted to make
the most horsepower under AMA Pro Racing leaded fuel rules.
Dyno tests have proven up to a 2 horsepower increase over our
MR9 in 1000cc bikes and a one horsepower increase for 600cc’s.
This translates to as much as a 10% increase in power over pump
gas, meaning nothing on the market makes more power than
MR10! Because its octane rating is lower than MR9’s, it may not
be suitable for higher compression applications.
MR9TM – MR9 has been the most successful fuel for 4-stroke road
racing and Supermoto applications for the last two years. Like
MR10, it’s targeted for all classes in AMA Pro Racing that allow
leaded race fuel. Dyno tests have proven an 8-9% increase in
power over pump gas. Used by premier factory and factory
support teams including Honda, Erion Honda, Yamaha, Graves
Yamaha, Yoshimura Suzuki, M4 EMGO Suzuki, Attack
Performance and Kawasaki, MR9 fueled a sweep of all AMA road
racing championships in 2004 and 2005. Used in Supermoto by
KTM, Yamaha and Honda, MR9 also swept the Supermoto,
Supermoto Lite and Supermoto Unlimited championships in 2005.
MRX01TM – Engineered to meet the demands of top professional
won his 2005 Supercross championship using MR-PRO2 and his
2004-5 Outdoor National championships using MR-PRO4.
Other Motorcycle Fuel Choices
C12TM – Introduced by VP Racing 30 years ago, C12 was the first
racing fuel to make more power, proving that burning speed,
vaporization and BTU value were as important as octane. Ongoing
improvements have kept C12 as the fuel of choice for 75% of VP’s
customers. C12 has the highest octane and resistance to detonation of any of these fuels, making it an excellent choice for power
and protection.
More motorcycle National Championships
(motocross or roadracing) have been won with C12 than any other
single fuel. Because of its value, it’s still the choice for amateur
racing as well.
U4TM – Produced to meet the demands of the 4-stroke road race
and MX markets for more power at a lower cost. VP achieved this
by ignoring AMA Pro Racing fuel rules and concentrating on the
club and amateur rules. Thus, U4 passes AMA amateur fuel rules
and is perfect for club level racing, CCS, WERA and AFM. This
fuel makes up to 6% more power than pump gas. Makes
engines faster and more responsive without harming the
carburetor, O-rings or gaskets. It’s also ideal for stock 2-stroke
MX applications.
U2TM – U2 was designed for stock and modified 2-stroke MX
applications. Offers the same big power gains and responsiveness as U4, and passes the same fuel rules as well. Neither U2
nor U4 are legal for AMA Pro Racing.
Motorsport 103TM – VP's most cost effective unleaded, MS103
motocross teams who wanted maximum power with enough
octane to run in 2-stroke applications. MRX01 makes up to 5%
more power than pump gas and won numerous AMA 125cc and
250cc Supercross and Outdoor National championships prior to
implementation of AMA’s unleaded fuel rule. Also produces
excellent performance in higher compression road racing
applications.
provides excellent performance and throttle response while
meeting the AMA Pro Racing unleaded fuel rule. MS103 offers
superior detonation protection for high compression 2-stroke race
engines as well as meeting the high demands of today’s 4-stroke
motocross bikes. For additional performance benefits, check out
our AMA Pro Racing-legal MR-PRO2 and MR-PRO4 unleaded
fuels, described above.
MR8TM – MR8 is designed specifically for 125cc and 250cc GP
StreetBlaze 100TM – VP’s newest unleaded fuel is well-suited
2-stroke engines where high octane is needed. Also produces
excellent results in 2-stroke karting applications. MR8 makes up
to 5% more power than standard nonoxygenated race fuels
and has won numerous AMA 250 GP championships.
MR-PRO2TM and MR-PRO4TM – These unleaded fuels are
formulated to make maximum power under the current AMA Pro
Racing unleaded fuel rule. MR-PRO2 is designed to meet the
high octane demands of 2-stroke racing engines, while MR-PRO4
meets the lower octane demands of 4-strokes. Ricky Carmichael
for high-performance motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft and
karts. Oxygenated with ethanol, StreetBlaze 100 meets California
Air Resource Board (CARB) requirements and is street legal
throughout the U.S. At 100 octane (R+M/2), it generates substantial power increases over premium grade 92 octane unleaded
gasoline. Offers excellent performance in 2- and 4-stroke MX
applications as well as off-road racing, including hare scrambles,
desert and enduro racing.
All of VP’s motorcycle fuels are conveniently available
from your local VP dealer.
VP RACING FUELS, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, USA TEL: 210-635-7744 FAX: 210-635-7999
www.vpracingfuels.com
Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas.
Offices in Delaware, Indiana, California, Georgia, Florida, Kansas and Washington.
International: Calgary, Montreal and Toronto, Canada; Sydney, Australia; Tijuana, Mexico.
Property
MR10
MR9
MR8
MRX01
Specific Gravity @ 60ْ F
API Gravity
Motor Octane
Reid Vapor Press.
Distillation Fْ
Initial Boiling Point
10% Evap.
50% Evap.
90% Evap.
E.P.
Lead
Oxygenated
Color
.741
.718
65.6
87
11.22
.730
107
6.69
.717
65.8
98
9.73
95.8
112.0
135.9
240.1
328.6
Yes
Yes
Clear
95.9
144.0
203.7
218.0
237.3
Yes
Yes
Yellow
103.4
121.5
151.8
214.5
230.0
Yes
Yes
Pink
86
11.47
85.6
103.8
128.7
316.5
323.4
Yes
Yes
Pale
Green
MRPRO2
.750
MRPRO4
.758
91
6.6
102.7
135.5
209.0
318.9
341.4
No
Yes
Pale
Yellow
C12
U2
U4
.718
MS
103
.743
SB
100
.746
.717
.717
89
9.95
108
7.3
101
8.54
92
9.66
99
2.9
96
6.8
94.7
110.1
141.4
319.6
346.7
No
Yes
Pale
Blue
103.0
131.0
194.0
228.0
233.3
Yes
No
Green
126.8
147.4
210.4
242.9
Yes
Yes
Clear
100.2
122.2
149.7
219.1
266.7
Yes
Yes
Clear
190.0
210.4
217.1
225.7
No
Yes
Clear
148.0
210.0
216.0
238.0
No
Yes
Orange
Test Methods
ASTM D 4052
ASTM D 1298-85
ASTM D 2700-86
ASTM D 323
ISO 33405
ASTM D 3237
Elem Analysis
To maintain the original properties and comply with Health and Safety regulations, fuels should be handled and stored in a cool place and
always maintained in tightly sealed drums. Do not expose the fuel to direct sunlight as the ultraviolet rays will oxidize the lead.
The VP Racing Story
At VP, we've been making the best fuels for motorsports since
1975. We’ve developed a well-earned reputation for producing
high quality racing fuels respected for their power and
consistency.
In fact, we've fueled the NHRA Pro Stock
Champions for 30 consecutive years – a record unmatched by any
major sponsor in the industry.
However, our track record isn't limited to the drag strip. We've
fueled champions in off-road, off-shore, circle track, road race,
motocross and even airplanes. A VP-powered racer has won
every major championship in North America that allowed the
competitor a choice of any fuel producer.
VP’s involvement in motorcycle racing dates to the late ‘70s,
producing fuels for the U.S. racing divisions of Kawasaki, Suzuki
and Yamaha. In the late ‘80s, VP became involved in Europe with
F1 teams and VP continues to be a major producer in all forms of
motorcycle racing on the continent. VP currently produces fuels
for the U.S. factory teams of Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Suzuki and
Yamaha.
Total control over our products is just one of the reasons VP has
achieved such consistent success. We blend all our own fuels. We
lead them. We dye them. We drum them, test and store them.
Our chemists, engineers, dynos and test engines are dedicated to
one single-minded purpose – creating the best fuels in the
industry. But we don't spend all our time in-house. You'll find us
working with racers on their dynos and at the track working with
their vehicles. We do all this to stay ahead of our competition so
you can stay ahead of yours.
VP Racing products are conveniently distributed through
warehouses across the United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico
and Europe.
VP also carries a complete line of racing synthetic oils, two-cycle
lubricants, performance chemicals, traction adhesives and racing
accessories – all of which are available for export worldwide.
Distributor inquiries are invited.
The four most important properties of racing fuel
You can't make a racing fuel that has the best of everything, but
you can produce one that will give your particular engine the most
power. This is why we produce different fuels for different
applications. The key to getting the best racing gasoline is not
necessarily buying the fuel with the highest octane, but getting one
that is best suited for your engine.
1.
OCTANE – This is simply the rating of a fuel’s ability to resist
detonation and/or preignition. Octane is rated in Research
Octane Numbers (RON), Motor Octane Numbers (MON), and
Pump Octane Numbers (R+M/2). Pump Octane Numbers
are what you see on the yellow decal at the gas stations and
represents an average of RON and MON. VP uses MON
because this test method is more relevant to racing. Most
other companies use RON because it is higher, easier to
come by, and sounds better in marketing messages. Don't
be fooled by high RON numbers or an average -- MON is the
most important for a racing application. However, the ability
of the fuel to resist preignition is more than just a function of
octane.
2.
3.
4.
BURNING SPEED - The speed at which fuel releases its
energy. In a high-speed internal combustion engine, there is
very little time (real time - not crank rotation) for the fuel to
release its energy. Peak cylinder pressure should occur
around 20° ATDC. If the fuel is still burning after this, it is not
contributing to peak cylinder pressure, which is what the rear
wheels see.
ENERGY VALUE - An expression of the potential in the fuel.
The energy value is measured in BTUs per pound, not per
gallon. The difference is important. The air:fuel ratio is in
weight, not volume. Remember, this is the potential energy
value of the fuel. This difference will show up at any
compression ratio or engine speed.
COOLING EFFECT: The cooling effect on fuel is related to
the heat of vaporization. The higher the heat of vaporization,
the better its effect on cooling the intake mixture. This is of
some benefit in a four-stroke engine, but can be a big gain in
two-stroke engines.
2/06