Storing your Race Fuels
SUNLIGHT AND RACING FUEL
DON’T MIX!
If you want your racing fuel to perform as well as it would right from the pump, you must store it properly. One condition to avoid is exposing your racing fuel to sunlight. In leaded fuels, sunlight will cause lead deterioration and thus reduce the octane level of the fuel. In some leaded and unleaded fuels sunlight can react with other additives, like manganese, that can result in lower octane, blocked fuel filters, and overall poor performance. This is the case with Sunoco’s GT Plus 104 Octane Unleaded as well as some blends made by other brands of racing fuels. The best method for storing your racing fuel, even for short periods of time, is in metal containers. If this is impractical, use as dark of a colored container as possible and/or keep the fuel covered up with a blanket. Even indirect light can cause some deterioration.
Another condition to avoid, if possible, is heat. Heat can cause a fuel to lose its “light ends”. The “light ends” are the hydrocarbons that evaporate easily and quickly. The loss of these “light ends” can cause hard starting, a reduction in octane, poor throttle response, and reduced power. To avoid these problems as much as possible there are a few easy rules to follow.
- Store the fuel in a cool place when possible.
- Store the fuel in metal containers with the caps tightly sealed.
Plastic containers do not seal as well as metal containers,
especially for long periods of time.
- Do not open a hot or warm container.
Put the container in the shade to cool down before opening.
Following some of these simple storage rules can help ensure that the high quality of your racing fuel remains.
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