VP fuel replacing ERC at Bonneville?

[azgearhed]

Is ERC being replaced at Speedweek 2019?

[sabat]

That would cause a bunch of distress, VP offers some highly oxygenated gasolines that could affect gas class records. It would also be convenient for those far away from ERC suppliers, while VP is everywhere.

What makes you think ERC is leaving? Not doubting, just curious.

Dean

[Stan Back]

I'd guess that the questionable fuels would not pass the gas check in Gas classes.  If they were being offered there, they could be used in Fuel.

[thundersalt]

I would welcome VP. Or not have event fuel since gas testing is fairly simple ,like at El Mirage

[Dynoroom]

ERC also has oxygenated fuel but if it doesn't meet spec it can't be run. Most likely a moot point since it does look like VP is the new supplier for the SCTA.

[ronnieroadster]

   Wondering if the new supplier will also have racing oil available like the ERC vendor did.

[wobblywalrus]

Highly oxygenated and non-oxygenated gasolines were compared on the dyno for several years.  We spent a lot of time to select the optimum spark advance settings and jetting for each mixture.  The oxygenated fuels provided no benefits.  Is there a reason for this?   

[SPARKY]

I got a call from ERC today and Rick said that he thought that SCTA was going to make a Supplier change.  He did not volunteer what that change might be and I didn't ask.

[JR529]

I would welcome VP. Or not have event fuel since gas testing is fairly simple ,like at El Mirage

It may be fairly simple to test fuel at El Mirage but buying fuel at El Mirage is almost impossible. That's why an event fuel supplier is so important, it guarantees race fuel availability on the salt.

[RansomT]

Highly oxygenated and non-oxygenated gasolines were compared on the dyno for several years.  We spent a lot of time to select the optimum spark advance settings and jetting for each mixture.  The oxygenated fuels provided no benefits.  Is there a reason for this?   

Well, I really don't know why you have seen that.  But, this is what I really do know. 
I often use my Nitrous Hayabusa for fuel test.  It has a relatively low static compression, but has a LOT of engine modifications.  I've tested the following VP fuels C12, C16, Q16, MRX02, MR12 over a couple days along with 89 octane pump (8% ethanol) and pump E85 (80% ethanol), PLUS Ignite Race Fuel 114 (90%) ethanol.  For reference, the bike makes ~185 wHP on 89 Pump.
The non-oxygenated fuels produce less power while MR12 will pickup almost 10 wHP over pump with MRX02 in a close second.   Ignite Race Fuel is also very close with a timing bump.  Fueling has to be adjusted as much as +10% with oxygenated gasolines and while I did adjust timing, it really didn't make a HUGE difference except with Ignite.  And of course the ethanol based fuels require about 30% more fuel.

[wobblywalrus]

Right now I am in Visalia, California and my fuel comparison notes are back in Oregon.  So, I cannot give details.  All comparisons were between leaded and non-leaded oxygenated and non-oxygenated race gasolines.  Octane, specific gravity, and distillation characteristics were chosen so all fuels would match the engine.  Pump gas and E-85 were not tested.

Maybe what I saw was that a variety of gasolines will give good results?

[RansomT]

It could be that your octane requirements are high.  My other race bike, a 1340 Busa, has a static compression of ~17:1 and wont' run on a lot of the highly oxygenated race fuels that make the most power.  Q16 is about it and that VP fuel only makes a handful of HP over C12.  I can run that bike on Ignite (E90) but that puts the bike in the Fuel classes in direct competition with my Nitrous bike....

[Milwaukee Midget]

I don't recall what designation ERC gives their high octane gasoline that they've brought to Bonneville in the past, but I do remember that the closest equivalent in VP was the C-14, which is what we use to dyno with.  ERC is tough to come by in the east.

[Stainless1]

Well as we all know... your results may vary 
You can use gas with a too high octane rating and get less power...  Consulting with ERC Rick, he suggested 110K for my 1K GSXR motor... and we did well with that... but then he brought MUL-A and  later MUL-B 100 octane oxygenated legal racing gas and suggested we try that based on our engine specs.  Bike went faster and I started using it in that normally aspirated motor in the car and bike, did not get the opportunity to make a dyno comparison since ERC fuel is not readily available in Kansas.
Rick was a valuable asset for racers....  I hate to see him go... 

[SPARKY]