Precision Fuel Testing Systems

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Q: What does Fuel Check do?

A: Fuel Check certifies the legality of fuel used by vehicles competing in various categories. A sample of fuel is taken immediately after, or before, a qualification or elimination run. Simple, but effective tests are conducted to ensure the fuel used conforms to sanctioning body rules.

Q: When should a competitor's fuel to be checked?

A: Vehicles are generally fuel checked at the conclusion of a run. Spot checks however, may be made at any time (i.e.: staging lanes, starting grid, shutdown area, pits, etc.).  Fuel will be checked after qualifying runs and elimination round winners at the discretion of the technical staff.  Competitors can expect your fuel to be checked after every pass – although not every car will be checked every pass. The race staff will determine the run and cars to be checked. During elimination rounds, ALL winners are likely to be checked.

Q:  What happens if a competitor misses fuel check?

A: Bypassing Fuel Check is grounds for disqualifying your run.

Q: How is my fuel taken and checked?

A: In drag racing, competitors are responsible for collecting fuel samples and presenting them for test.  At the Fuel Check station, you will be given a small plastic beaker to collect a fuel sample. The sample is then carried to the designated place for testing. Competitors should not leave Fuel Check until told their fuel is 'OK'. Sometimes a second sample is needed.  Gasoline samples must generally come from the line connecting the fuel tank to the carburetor or fuel injection system. A valve in the fuel line greatly aides this process.  In rare cases and with the permission of Fuel Check personnel, fuel may be taken from the tank or fuel cell.

Q: What happens if my fuel “fails”?

A: Should a vehicle fail the fuel check, every effort should be made to afford the competitor the benefit of the doubt. Test equipment should be re-zeroed and second samples tested.  If subsequent testing determines that the fuel is unacceptable, competitors will be given instructions on what to do. In some cases it may be necessary to drain the failed fuel from the vehicle. In most cases, failed fuel results in disqualification of the round.   As a courtesy to the competitor, fuel samples should be tested upon request. However, in an attempt to curtail certain abuses, all fuel samples should be either taken directly from the vehicle or presented in quantity of no less than 2 ½ gallons.

Q: What’s the most common reason fuel “fails”? 

A: In the vast majority of cases, we find that unintentional contamination is the root cause for a fuel sample to fail our standard tests. The intent of testing during qualifying time runs is to assist competitors in resolving any problems they have with fuel. Fuel inspectors should cooperate with competitors to achieve resolution of a problem.  Depending on the severity of the infraction during qualifying, some discretion is allowed.  However, once eliminations begin, competitors should expect to be disqualified for fuel infractions.  Often the same things that cause fuel contamination make a race car perform worse than it should. Merely running good, fresh fuel will help performance.

Q: What is gasoline? How is gasoline tested?

A: Most motorsport sanctioning bodies require the use of racing gasoline.  Some organizations require a specific brand and blend, or 'spec. gasoline'.  The first step in certifying a gasoline sample is by comparing the dielectric reading of the sample to the standard for the manufacturer’s product. A dielectric meter, such as the FT-K01 Fuel Tester, is used for this purpose. The meter is re-zeroed when necessary using a known pure hydrocarbon substance, usually cyclohexane.  Samples with readings which deviate more than ±0.4 (unless a more stringent limit has been imposed by the sanctioning body) from the manufacturer’s baseline are subject to further testing.  If in the judgment of the fuel inspector the sample is found to be illegal, the competitor may be disqualified.

Q: Should competitors “mix” gasoline?

A: Most sanctioning bodies require that competitors use only one brand of gasoline throughout a race.  Since the standard tests compare the gasoline against the manufacturer’s standard product, mixing two fuels presents a real problem. No two fuels have the same DC. Mixed fuels have a DC that should be somewhere between the values of the constituent fuels – depending on the proportions used. “Mixtures”, therefore, are difficult to test.  Usual practice will be to use additional tests on mixed fuels.  If the DC of the “mixture” does not fall within the limits of the fuels claimed, then it will fail. 

Q: How can Fuel Check help the competitor?

A: Racers are encouraged to have questionable fuels tested before use.

Q: I don't cheat, but my gasoline failed fuel check.  What happened to it?

A: Gasoline ‘ages’ or becomes ‘stale’ as it loses it's more volatile hydrocarbon components through evaporation or oxidation.  Using stale gasoline can degrade performance and may even cause engine damage.  The aging process is accelerated if the gasoline is stored in poly fuel jugs, as these volatile hydrocarbons can pass right through the walls of the jug.  Gasoline is best purchased in smaller volume, used promptly, and stored in a metal container until used.  Gasoline containers should be stored in a cool, dry place and always kept out of sunlight.  

Contributed by Bill Engle, P.E., professional fuel inspector extraordinaire.

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