[Vukie]

TRAXXAS SILVER CROWN SERIES TO USE ETHANOL FUEL BEGINNING IN 2012
The United States Auto Club has a proud history of being a leader in motorsports, and our mission of improving driver safety, fan experience and economic impact for the community. As our society becomes increasingly aware of the environmental concerns we face for future generations, it is important for USAC to assure we are looking forward.

For the past six months USAC has conducted significant research into the study of bio-based fuels for our sport. In July, USAC announced a new partnership with Ignite Ethanol Racing Fuels, a bio-based performance ethanol blended specifically for motorsports to further our research and development efforts. This announcement included the approved use of Ignite Ethanol Racing Fuels in all USAC racing series as an optional fuel.

Our most recent findings have proven there are significant advantages to the use of ethanol based fuels over methanol for racing applications, with virtually no need for major changes required for the race vehicle. Bio-based fuels, such as ethanol, have been proven to be a cleaner burning fuel by up to 60% over conventional gasoline powered vehicles. Perhaps most significant is the use of ethanol versus methanol results in a fuel mileage increase of greater than 40%, with less fuel required resulting in a major safety enhancement. Additionally, we have found a safer environmental impact of the bio-based fuel versus methanol as a cleaner and safer fuel from a motorsports perspective, from fire control and spill containment.

In 2012, USAC will require the use of Ignite Ethanol Racing Fuel 114 Red for the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series as a specified fuel to assure consistency and equality for all competitors. Silver Crown cars, with significant fuel load required for longer races, will find an immediate safety benefit with this new direction. While ethanol prices are currently higher than menthanol racing fuels, the savings in fuel mileage will result in an overall savings for teams.

To aid in the transition, USAC has worked with Ignite Fuels to ensure a discounted price guaranteed to USAC Members and with a new 2012 Silver Crown Owners License, USAC will provide a 55 Gallon drum of Ignite Fuel free to kick off this new partnership. Additionally, USAC has partnered with Kinsler Fuel Injection Systems as a technical partner in the transition and will be announcing a discount program for USAC Members on fuel components as smaller nozzels will be likely needed due to the lower fuel demand.

USAC is currently reviewing the use of Ignite Ethanol as a spec fuel in the Focus Midget Series. The use of a stable and common fuel source for a controlled spec series is very desirable to assure equal competition, with the ability to quickly monitor compliance at the track. A decision and announcement is expected by December 1st after testing is completed.

USAC and Ignite will host a Ethanol Fuel seminar at the IMIS Trade Show in Indianapolis on Thursday December 8th. All The seminar will be open to all racers and interested parties.

[racephoto1]

Dang it, a spec fuel ! A couple friends of mine make it also, trouble is it only comes in quart jars.

[Honest-Sam]

I wonder, if I use my methanol fuel jugs for ethanol, and vice/versa, will I be running a fuel that would test as illegal due to 'contamination' by the other fuel. i.e., can sprint car and champ car still use the same set of fuel jugs?
Posted via Mobile Device

[ThrowbackRacingTeam]

I don't think this series needed another major change when it is struggling to get good car counts. Are they going to ship that 55 gallon drum? No. You will have to go to Indy to get it...kind of hard for a west coast owner to get ahold of! Or even an Iowa one. Are they trying to shrink the tail tanks too so they can look like extended midgets like current sprint cars? With the new mileage they could go to 410's and maybe get more cars. I just think they jumped the gun again and are mandating something that might not go over too well with the majority of current owners. That's exactly what happened with the Gold Crown series and they lost half the owners for good. Why risk that again? I hope this works out ok though, have really enjoyed the series this year.


As far as safety.....driver's are standing in line to run those cars,hell even paying to do it. The cars are plenty safe. If you want to make them safer, require larger tubing for the rear bumpers to keep the tail from rupturing. They run the same size tubing on midgets. Doesn't make sense.

[Seadog]

Some people are not happy unless they turn every thread into a gripe fest.

[indybail]

It's a "green" thing. I believe it offers an opportunity to attract more sponsorship interest. The ALMS series seems to be doing this well.

[TQ29m]

Originally Posted by Honest-Sam I wonder, if I use my methanol fuel jugs for ethanol, and vice/versa, will I be running a fuel that would test as illegal due to 'contamination' by the other fuel. i.e., can sprint car and champ car still use the same set of fuel jugs? Posted via Mobile Device

Depends on how they test it, probably not with a hydrometer, but if they test with a Digitron electronic tester, it'll sure DQ you in a heart beat, I've had it happen, and it's a bad taste in your mouth, when you have to replace fuel tanks, and jugs, to get rid of it. Just sayin! Bob!

[DAD]

E.T. MORRIS raced with Ethanol 50 years ago. He also owned "21 Brands Distillers" in Frankfort ky. He just got the drum before the tax man put a stamp on it. Smelled a little different He thought it ran just fine. "AAA" and "USAC" never said anything about it. He even went so far to make a decanter shaped like his "21 Brands Special" race car and sell it to the public. Ck it out on ebay "race car decanter".. I hate the "green religion people". Aint nothing we can do about this old earth but waste a lot of money trying to fix it up. USAC is using "glittering BS" to generate a little more money.

[Tony74]

Well it’s a good PR move …But hurts the guys that already have fuel deals, plus if “there are significant advantages to the use of ethanol based fuels over methanol for racing applications” then why not just open it up so owners can choose? If it is a big advantage everyone would switch to make more HP or carry less fuel …..But it being forced on teams will leave a bad taste for owners, but there is only one place to run crown cars…

What is the current price difference between methanol and ethanol??

[TQ29m]

Originally Posted by TQ29m Depends on how they test it, probably not with a hydrometer, but if they test with a Digitron electronic tester, it'll sure DQ you in a heart beat, I've had it happen, and it's a bad taste in your mouth, when you have to replace fuel tanks, and jugs, to get rid of it. Just sayin! Bob!

According to the info I'm getting, the Specific Gravity is really close, the electronic meter I have, would detect it, but a hydrometer probably wouldn't, but an easy way to tell, besides drinking a glass of each, which in this case, one would stagger a bit, the other would lay on the ground, till he was taken to a morgue, ethanol has a stickyness when it evaporates, whereas methanol, unless it has a lot of water in it, will not. And, there is a slight difference in the "clarity" of it, and it almost smells like cider, and has a slight tint to it. Bob!