Big Octane

[Stephen Williams <mannlaw@indy.net>]

	Just had an interesting talk w/ a local racing fuel manufacturer.

	Company name:  VP Racing Fuels.

	I used their product in drag cars [long time ago], and would use 
nothing else.

	Here is the "gist" of our talk:

	VP sells something like 18 different mixtures of racing and 
performance fuels.  Leaded - Unleaded.  Octane rating from, I think, 95 
to 105?

	Interesting to me was the octane discussion.  Caveat here--I am 
no scientist!!!  He said the octane ratings on their fuel was by "motor 
method", not research method.  Apparently, research method [type on 
ordinary gas station pumps?] used a single piston non-adjustable timing 
device.  Motor method allowed timing adjustment, etc.  He said many times 
they could drop a person down to a lower octane, depending on the 
application, thereby saving money, but getting correct power / 
non-detonation.  Fascinating conversation!

	Prices:  For leaded, 105 octane:  $3.75 gal. $200 per 55 gal 
drum, for between 1-5 drums purchased.  Discount for bigger buys.
	Unleaded:  96 octane:  $193 per 55 drum ['bout $3.50 gal]
		   105 octane:  $245 per 55, 1-5 drums.  MANY variations 
available between the 96 and 105.

	In my area, 92 unleaded is selling for about $1.29 at gas 
stations. So, for you big boosters, 105 will cost you about x3 1/2.

	Disclaimers apply here.  

	Later, 

	Bruce