Race Fuels ...

BP 100 Racing Fuel

BP 100 is a high octane leaded petrol that is used to avoid detonation when compression pressures are increased by either high compression ratios or better breathing.

BP 100 has vaporising characteristics that will ensure good mixture preparation using controlled boiling range components. It should not be used in domestic passenger cars or cars with catalytic converters.

Ethanol As A Fuel

Ethanol has lower energy content than petrol, which can mean that ethanol blends have slightly lower fuel economy than conventional petrol. However, because ethanol blends are still made from at least 90% petrol, the difference is unlikely to be noticeable and less than the typical difference that results from natural variations to driving conditions.

There are also a number of easy ways to reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption, which is also the easiest way to reduce your CO₂ emissions:

Drive less – combine trips, car-pool, get on your bike or take public transport.

Keep your vehicle maintained – if your vehicle is running correctly, it will use less fuel and be more reliable. This includes keeping your vehicle properly tuned and serviced, checking engine oil and coolants, maintaining recommended tyre pressures (under inflated tyres can increase your fuel bill by up to 8%)

Drive smarter - driving smoothly and in higher gears cuts fuel use and CO₂ emissions. Switching the car off when caught in a traffic jam will save you on fuel and emissions.

Windows up, air-conditioning down - air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by 5% to 10% - but this is less than the impact of driving with an open window above 60kmh

Toluene Is A Common Octane Boosting Component

Toluene (methyl benzene) gives about 1 octane number boost for each 5% added and the mixture may need to be slightly richer also. The higher octane allows the use of a higher compression ratio for more power. Toluene has a high carbon content that may lead to sooty spark plugs so don’t assume that this indicates an overly-rich mixture. Toluene is also a good solvent, and high concentrations affect rubber and plastic components in the fuel system.

Racing Fuels Can Be Tailor Made For A Particular Engine

Some hydrocarbons may be particularly suitable as racing fuel components because of their volatility, octane and combustion characteristics, but refineries are not usually capable of separating them from petrol. For example, in the past Formula One teams expended money and resources tailoring a petrol to suit their particular "engine" and application. However, the benefits were relatively small. Note though, that since the regulations have changed, Formula One teams now use commercially available fuel.

The following table summarises some important fuel properties:

Fuel	RON typical	MON typical	Air/fuel ratio by mass stoichio- metric	Air/fuel ratio by mass maximum power #	Latent heat of vapour- isation MJ/kg	Highest useful compression ratio *
BP Lead Replacement Petrol	96	85	14.4	12.0	0.34	9-9.5
BP Premium Unleaded	96	85	14.4	12.0	0.34	9 - 9.5
BP Regular Unleaded	91	82	14.7	12.5	0.34	8.5 - 9
BP Ultimate	98	87	14.4	12.0	0.34	9.5-10
BP 100 Racing Fuel	110	100	15.0	12.9	0.36	11.5 - 13
BP Methanol Racing Fuel	115	91	6.5	4.5	1.17	15 - 17
Toluene	124	112	11.5	9.8	0.41	13 - 15

* Approximate compression ratios only - depends on engine design and application.

# Air/fuel ratios will vary slightly with fuel composition.

Smaller cylinders with shorter flame path allow higher compression to be used. Very high engine speeds also allow higher compression. For example in racing boats where low speed, high load operation is avoided.

Differences to Regular Unleaded

Ethanol does have a number of unique properties that mean that it needs to be properly formulated and managed to be used as a fuel blend. If these issues are managed correctly, ethanol blends can be safely used in the majority of the Australian vehicle fleet.

One of the key issues is that ethanol is hydroscopic, which means that, unlike petrol, it is attracted to water.

If ethanol blended petrol comes into contact with too much water, “phase separation” can result – this is when the ethanol-water mixture separates from the petrol. If this occurs, it can result in starting problems and, if the fuel system is not flushed in a timely manner, corrosion of fuel system parts.

BP manage this potential issue through 3 key actions:

Investment in infrastructure and rigorous ongoing water monitoring procedures at both our terminals and retail service stations.
Adding an industry recognized corrosion inhibitor Octel Starreon corrosion inhibitor DC1 -11 90 ml per 100 ml of ethanol) to our ethanol blended petrol; and
Only blending ethanol with petrol at or close to a 10% level (the legislated maximum) – ethanol blended petrol is more susceptible to phase separation when blended with lower concentrations.

Ethanol blended petrol prevents deposits from building up within an engine’s fuel system, so clean fuel systems that regularly use ethanol blends tend to stay that way.

On the other hand, ethanol blended petrol can loosen these deposits within older fuel systems (especially in vehicles pre-1986). The loosening of these deposits can potentially lead to the clogging of fuel filters.

BP recommends that older vehicles will benefit from a fuel filter change shortly after consumption of the first fill of ethanol blend fuels. Cleaning of the fuel system is a one off effect and once using the ethanol blend the system will remain clean.

BP also recommends that all vehicle fuel systems are maintained well and that all vehicles benefit from routine inspection as fuel hoses and components can deteriorate with age.