Sunoco race fuel

DAVE FAITZ · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 14

Why do we use Sunoco 110 leaded fuel in karting ? Sure didn't work very good in my 9:1 stock car engines. Can't imagine why we run this ?

Brian Zirves · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:27 am Post subject:

Dave,

I ask myself the same thing everytime I am mixing up a batch of the garbage. I would preffer to have VP MS 93 or 98 as the spec fuel. It is comparable in price and so much better fuel.

For as why we run SHITCO I believe its for sponsorship reasons for certain series, so then in turn tracks follow to keep everything as close to the same as possible.

Just like the Bridgestone thing, they havent been able to make tires that are consistent from one set to the next forever.

But what do guys like you and me know we are new to the sport lol (sarcasm for the ppl that dont know)

John Mulvihill · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 4:25 pm Post subject:

I believe that one of the major factors is that every track in the country has it.

Even my local stock car track has it.

Best gas? Nahhhhh But it doesn't work if a gas is spec'd that nobody can get.

John
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Brian Zirves · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 6:01 am Post subject:

John,

I did forget that point.
Bigger tracks yes have pumps, majority of which are Sunoco. At Sprint tracks some carry it in the 5 gallon can or 55 gallon drum that you can get a few gallons. Some tracks dont even have it, then you need to get it from a kart shop or a dealer.

I cant speak for everyone, but almost everyone I talk to hates this gas.

Also I am not sure about the whole country, In the midwest I can find VP racing fuels easily. If that was the Spec fuel more kart shops and tracks would have it and it be super easy to get just like Sunoco.

I've ran plenty of different brands of Gas, my favorite with a KT100 is pump with no ethanol.
Tag MS 93 or MS 98 depending on tempeture.

Todd Bellew · Joined: 26 Jul 2001 Posts: 2902

That gas is fine. It's just too much octane for most karts these days. It's even a wee bit much for a full blown mod moto.

Any difference you can see with it and other gases are simply based on not having the compression to increase flame speed to a suitable level to be utilized in a two stroke.

Years ago everyone ran too much octane as a catch all. That way race promoters didn't have to mess with all different grades. Today requirements aren't as high and MS98 should cover about every one. Just have the few existing mod moto guys bring their own.
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DAVE FAITZ · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 14

Sunoco will tell you this std. 110 fuel is clearly not for two cycle engines at all. It's good for 9000 rpm V8 engines. It has lead also. We should not be using leaded fuel at all. There is absolutely no reason to run 110 octane leaded fuel. WKA and others need to seriously think about going green like NASCAR and other sanctioning bodies. Why doesn't the Rotax Max series run Sunoco 110 ? Common sense !

Jim McMahon · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 5:01 am Post subject:

Green? You're kidding right? 95% of the environmental impact of a kart race is done before a single kart gets fired up at the event and that's got zero to do with any org.

Sunoco 110 is my least favorite fuel for a kart, I'll give you that though. Not sure why leaded is still allowed here either, but that's a health concern, not environmental IMO as the levels let into the atmosphere as a result of karting are minute, but sitting behind a grid of karts running leaded cant be good for you. So I guess the solution is to pass everybody Smile

Rotax Max only has to accommodate for one engine package (well three variations, you get my point), other orgs have to cover several so a 110 fuel is safer for them.
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DAVE FAITZ · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 14

Also, why are we still running two cycle engines. Seems like we're a bit behind in times.

DAVE FAITZ · Joined: 19 Oct 2009 Posts: 14

The testing that NASCAR has done with the E15 race fuel has shown a great reduction with emissions even with 800 HP engines. Notice the green decal around the fuel filler on cup cars. It's better for the environment but I don't know if I agree with NASCAR that it shuld be considered going green race fuel. Still is bad.

William French · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 4:20 pm Post subject: Spec Fuel

Simple solution....just spec a fuel that is readily available. Every motorcycle/snowmobile/ATV/Waverunner shop that I have been in carries VP in a 5 gallon pale. Most use MS98, C12 or some other form of good grade fuel that will work in our karts. Simply spec that type of fuel and go racing.

John Mulvihill · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 5:36 pm Post subject:

At an event with 200 spec fuel entries one needs to have about a 1,000 gallons present.

If the track doesn't normally have MS98, etc, on hand in a big tank,,,,,????

Every track has Sunoco 110, therefore,,,,,,,,,,,,

John
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Tim Koyen · Advertiser Joined: 26 Nov 2002 Posts: 1570

I'm glad that karting is doing so well that its come to down debating what brand of fuel is the best to spec.
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Brian Zirves · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 8:34 am Post subject:

John,

Do you run sprint or road racing?

Sprint do not have in ground pumps, either your buying from a Kart shop or Track (if they carry fuel). So there be no difference in Sunoco 110 or something else.

John Mulvihill · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:39 am Post subject:

Hi Brian,

Good point. I am mostly involved in Roadracing, however I also work at the bigger Man Cup races.

I see your point.

All of the road courses have Sun 110. Since many of the Man Cup races are run at dual purpose venues (Sprint Tracks and Road Courses), there is Sun 110 at those.

My local VP dealer (not a kart shop) has issues ordering the VP I'd want since VP makes about a 100 different gasolines and everyone wants something different. Confused

Local stock car track has Sun 110 though.

John
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