I Can Hear the Cylinder Detonation Now!
NASCAR to test unleaded fuel in Busch, Truck series.
NASCAR is hoping to speed up its switch to unleaded fuel by testing it at selected Busch and Craftsman Truck series races later this season.The racing series has used high-octane leaded fuel for decades, but has been searching for an alternative for years and believes it may be close to a final product with supplier Sunoco. They hope to have it in use at several events this year, well in advance of their plans to switch to it exclusively by 2008.
Hmmm…, on track testing a year and a half prior to 2008? Me thinks some outside pressure is at work (Congress maybe?).
NASCAR, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Busch Grand National Series, Unleaded fuel, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
Actually the reason we had lead in our fuel was a business decision. Ethyl alchohol can be used to prevent dentonation. During the early years of the automobile age engineers and scientist knew this, but because ethyl alchohol was in the public domain (ie they could not put a patent on it and make money off of it) a money making alternative was found. That’s why lead additive were used to prevent detonation. The Romans knew lead was a poison.
Forcing race engineers to find solutions will be good for all of us.
I understand why, when and where lead was used Phil.
Two notes: First, unleaded gas has been used for more than two decades and NASCAR has screwed the pouch for over 5 years making the change. Their most recent excuse, as noted in the linked article, was the switch to Sunoco fuel bing the “official gas” of NASCAR. A blatant line of horse hockey.
Secondly all of a sudden they will be making in race tests this year. Why? If you will recall when the first announcement the switch to unleaded was made, it was accompanied by a rush of articles by the enviro-wennies all being critical of NASCAR. In addition, the same time frame saw two congressman write letters to France threatening to pass legislation to force the use of ethanol.
NASCAR’s sudden concern over the environment is as phony as Fusion body template as it relates to the showroom version.
That said, it’s all BS anyway. Their are much bigger concerns than worrying about the small amount of fuel NASCAR burns each year.
Perception is reality.
I agree Phil, but reality is perceived by those with an agenda that overrides common sense. NASCAR, and most auto racing, is a target only because they use the dreaded polluter gasoline to conduct their business.
Meanwhile many of the very same critics drive around in their gas hog SUV’s and decide to live a 90 minute drive from work.