SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
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POWER IN A DRUM VP Racing Fuels Inc. explains why high-octane racing fuel is one of the crucial tools in off-road racing By Dan Sanchez Since the early days of racing in Baja, fueling vehicles in the desert presented several logistical problems. The first riders across the Baja Peninsula needed to travel a route that led them to small gas stations along the way. Others had airplanes bring in fuel to designated spots. Early model motorcycles and race cars had specially tuned engines and carburetors that could run on poor-grade Mexican fuels that could be purchased on the side of the road from vendors. Others decided to start bringing in their own fuel, but with much difficulty getting it across the border and to remote locations. In modern off-road racing, teams have figured out how to maximize their engine potential and set up their pit stops, equipped with drums of specially formulated racing fuels such as VP Racing Fuels Inc. SCORE Journal spoke with Bruce Hendel, VP North American Sales at VP Racing Fuels Inc. to discuss the company’s involvement with SCORE and various racing teams. Hendel also explained the importance of teaming up with specialty race fuel distributors such as Amber Racing Services to better connect with SCORE racers and to develop formulations that are specific to certain off-road racing vehicles. SJ: In the early days of VP's racing history, the company’s founder, Steve Burns, worked with top Pro Stock racing champions and learned more about the needs of race vehicles. Shifting forward, has VP's experience in Baja racing helped change the way it formulates fuels for these race vehicles? Hendel: VP has a long history in off-road racing, with decades of championships won by teams using our fuel. We work closely with engine builders to create fuels that combat the harsh conditions that the desert presents but yet allow maximum power and engine protection. In recent years, classes have been created utilizing spec (sealed) crate engines that use lower octane fuels. Racers started using pump gas thinking that it would be adequate. They quickly realized that pump gas wasn’t made to stand up to the extreme engine temperatures of desert racing. Majority of them experienced vapor lock. VP worked with Amber Racing Services and top engine builders to create Eco96 to answer this problem. It’s an ethanol free unleaded fuel designed with lower Reid Vapor Pressure that allows higher engine temps without the issues of vapor lock. In addition, the increased octane rating allows engine builders to step up their tuning creating more power for the racers. It answered a huge need created by these new classes. SJ: SCORE Trophy Truck engine builders are very particular about the fuel that goes into their engines. Does VP work with engine builders like Ray Fields, Kevin Kroyer, and others to create formulations that work with these engines? Hendel: Yes. VP works hand in hand with the top engine builders, listening to their needs and concerns in regard to racing fuel and its characteristics. We have a full-time tech and CSR’s available to help assist customers and two full-time chemists. If there is a change that’s needed, we approach it immediately. For instance, we’ve seen a trend in Trophy Truck and Class 1 engines pushing compression higher than it was years ago. So the octane requirements have increased. SJ: What is the importance of lead in racing fuels and why is it necessary for proper engine lubrication? Hendel: Lead is the best octane improver on the market and leaded race fuel is still a staple in racing. It allows us to build higher octane fuels than you can achieve with unleaded formulas, but with today’s technology, most modern fuel injection systems use O2 sensors that become damaged with leaded fuel. Unlike other brands, VP has a complete line of unleaded racing fuels to work with just about any engine combination out on the market, including fuels that meet FIA and FIM requirements. SJ: Is there a specific VP fuel formulation that's different for motorcycles, UTVs, Trophy Trucks, buggies, etc? Hendel: Motorcycles and UTV’s have different requirements than Trophy Trucks. Even within the motorcycle category, there are different fuels for different types of racing and engines, two-stroke versus four-stroke, road race versus off-road etc. VP has over 70 different fuels to maximize performance based your engine configuration, type of racing, fuel rules per sanctioning body, budget concerns, or max power. Different fuels create horsepower in different ways. Experience with this helps us guide racers within different classes to choose the right fuels to help their program be as successful as possible. For instance, motorcycle and UTV’s typically don’t need a lot of octane so those fuels (T4, MS98, ECO96) are much different than the requirements for Trophy Trucks (C12 or Late Model Plus). SJ: Why did VP decide to become the official fuel of SCORE International? What does the company hope to gain with its continued involvement with SCORE? Hendel: We were impressed with what SCORE has done with the series, bringing more awareness through its various marketing platforms. VP also has an initiative to expand our distribution throughout Mexico, and SCORE offers an outlet for business to business opportunities as well as business to consumers in Mexico. We’ve recently signed on our first VP branded gas stations in Mexico as well. VP is already the number one fuel in off-road racing, and we now have a complete line of racing lubricants, fuel additives and car care products to complement our race fuels. The majority of the winning teams, year after year, use VP and we have a huge following with the locals in Mexico. It is all about building brand awareness for the general consumer and SCORE gives us that outlet. It was an easy decision for VP to become the official fuel of SCORE! SJ: Race teams are always looking for any advantage they can achieve. What is the level of support VP offers race teams that utilize your fuels? Hendel: Brian Busby, General Manager of Amber Racing Services (ARS), works closely with SCORE and pit services like BFG, Mag 7, Baja Pits, Checkers, etc. Part of working with those services and teams is fuel logistics. Be it delivery of fuel drums to the hotels for racers, or gallons being delivered to remote pits by pit services, Amber Racing Services supports VP as their official distributor in Baja. Racers have come to rely on Amber as part of their program and it has fostered a great working relationship between VP, Amber and our customers. Both VP and Amber’s top staff are racers themselves so we understand what is needed from the racers perspective. As you know, some of the best stories and memories come from racing in Baja and we are excited to be part of building those memories! SJ: Aside from racing fuels, VP offers additional lubricants and cleaning products. How do these items fit into the VP family of performance products? Hendel: About six years ago, VP expanded into the small engine fuel category for outdoor power equipment. Current pump gas with ethanol is damaging these small engines so being a specialty performance fuel company, we released our line of small engine fuels. That led us to also creating lubricants for outdoor power equipment. From there it was a natural extension to expand into fuel additives (octane improver, fuel system cleaner, diesel additives etc), racing lubricants, and a full line of passenger car and commercial lubricants. All of our VP products are positioned to offer a performance and or value benefit over the competition. They are part of our natural extension into consumer products, products that are positioned for the everyday consumer but still maintain the high standards that VP is known for. SJ: What are some of the most important aspects of using a high-quality fuel that you can impart to novice teams and racers who are just getting into Baja racing? Hendel: Race fuel is a necessity if your engine is built for higher octane. It allows maximum power and protection under the extreme conditions of racing. Even if your engine can run on pump gas, VP has lower octane fuels that are better choices than standard pump gas. It will make more power and protect the engine from vapor lock. Race fuel is not pump gas, it is a performance part, and pump gas in Mexico can always be questionable. Some teams try and save money where they can, but the fuel isn’t the area you want to skimp on, especially in Mexico. There's a lot of time and money invested to participate in a SCORE event. Why risk wasting tens of thousands of dollars invested in the race, to save hundreds of dollars on the fuel? The fuel quality from small town to small town in Baja can be questionable. Taking a chance on getting bad fuel can not only take you out of the race but leave you stranded in literally ... the middle of nowhere. SJ: How does a sportsman or beginning racer figure out what fuel is best for their particular application? Hendel: Calling the VP or ARS reps is the quickest and easiest way for a new racer to identify the best fuel for their application. We all have years of experience assisting racers choosing the right fuel. Don’t forget, you can order fuel for all SCORE races direct from the racer section on the VP Racing web site. We have a fuel order form that is easy to fill out and submits electronically. SJ: What sets VP apart from other competition fuels that are available? Hendel: One of the main differences that set VP apart from its competition is that we blend, dye, and drum our own fuel. Unlike our competition, VP uses only lined drums, which are costlier, but ensures the customer does not get any contamination from rust or corrosion from the interior of the drum. It’s just another way VP helps protect the investment you have in your engine. We are always working on new products so keep an eye out soon for our Stay Frosty Racing Coolant as well as our 622 racing brake fluid. Sources VP Racing Fuel Inc. 204 E. Rhapsody San Antonio, TX. 78216 www.vpracingfuels.com Amber Racing Services 1543 W 16th St Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 216-8383