Fixing SR-18

[Ed Wright]

They have been fueling Pro Stock cars at the back of the lanes for years.

[FED 387]

Yes they have ED BUT is it the same fuel everybody else is getting or that "special blend" only for the Pro's this time around--- VP has never ever had problems ---but Sunoco sure cannot say that ---FED 387

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Jeff Johnson

Do you think the Comp. guy's or anyone else are getting the same "SR-18" that the Pro Stock cars are getting? My guess is no!

Nope. Comp pours their own fuel and are restricted to the same SR-18 fuel.

[FED 387]

yes the "same" but is it really the same or is it SR-18 the street version???

[Crew Chief]

The word around the pits is Sunoco wants NHRA to change to a specific gravity test instead of the dielectric test that NHRA has been doing for years.

[Jeff Stout]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

The word around the pits is Sunoco wants NHRA to change to a specific gravity test instead of the dielectric test that NHRA has been doing for years.

That would open up cheating gas for sure. Many years ago it was gravity tested only and became very easy to alter fuel and get it back to the proper specifics for the brand being claimed.

[FED 387]

Fine but if the gas is still garbage REGARDLESS of what testing standard they use how is this going to help???

[Ed Wright]

Maybe Sunoco only bought one year. So many hate that stuff, I can not imagine them selling enough to come out too far ahead on the money end.

[Greenlight]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

Maybe Sunoco only bought one year. So many hate that stuff, I can not imagine them selling enough to come out too far ahead on the money end.

I was told by a VP rep. that the RFQ during the bidding process was for a 10 year contract.

[terral]

Originally Posted by Jeff Stout

That would open up cheating gas for sure. Many years ago it was gravity tested only and became very easy to alter fuel and get it back to the proper specifics for the brand being claimed.

In 1964, Dr. Dean Hill and Dale Schaffer started using a dialectic meter to check the gasoline. They quit using a hydrometer because they needed something more reliable that would catch people altering the fuel. The dialectic meter is still used today. We have a new meter that came out in the late 1990's that checks to the hundredths rather than the tenths like the old meter did. The new meter has a longer battery life and is easier to use. I was told by a Sunoco rep that they use the hydrometer to check the octane level to make sure that it is as advertised. NHRA does not check the octane levels. They only check to see if the fuel has been altered from the original manufacturers spec. We also have a chemical test we use. The dialectic meter also will indicate when the fuel is getting old or flat. Most all racers ask to see where their fuel is in reference to the chart. This gives them an indication as to if they need to freshen their fuel or put new fuel in the car. At fuel check, for me this is more to help the racer keep his fuel in line rather than catch someone cheating. I can tell when the fuel has been mixed or something has been added to it. It takes years to learn how to do this. I have taught an NHRA Fuel Check School for the last several years. This is for NHRA employees as well as I have also taught several foreign track managers and foreign fuel check people from other countries. This post was not approved by NHRA. Hope this helps.