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Grassroots racing has been a mainstay since the automobile was invented, an interesting and competitive combination of mechanical aptitude and physical talent. Humans have a predisposition for speed — we want to know who can run the fastest, ride a horse fastest, eat fastest, ride a bike fastest, and yes, drive a car fastest. Indeed, NASCAR was born during Prohibition from an entrepreneur who realized the public would be interested in which rum runner could develop the most capable vehicle and drive it the fastest.
In racing, speed requires both talent and resources. In fact, it is often a combination of the most talented driver and the most capable vehicle. This creates situations that follow the golden rule: He who has the most gold rules.
In the early days of professional motorsports, there were no rules; you raced what you brought. The results were often dictated by who had the best equipment (most gold), regardless of driver talent. Subsequently, rules were instituted that defined the equipment and thereby limited the advantage of wealth. This addressed the cost of entry but did not address operating costs, much of which is fuel-related.
Engine efficiency, defined by the amount of power produced from a given amount of fuel, is proportional to compression ratio. Racers covet more power, and hence higher-compression-ratio engines. Compression ratio is the volume of an engine cylinder at the bottom of the piston stroke divided by the volume at the top of the stroke (this figure illustrates an engine cylinder with a compression ratio of 10).
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Compression ratio increases as the cylinder volume at top dead center decreases, producing more power. However, the maximum compression ratio is limited by the propensity of the fuel to autoignite, or knock. Autoignition occurs when the compression pressure and temperature become high enough for the fuel to ignite spontaneously and uncontrollably. The parameter quantifying the propensity of a fuel to autoignite is octane, with higher octane able to withstand higher pressures and temperatures (higher compression ratio).
High-octane gasoline is expensive because it requires disproportionate amounts of high-octane constituents from a barrel of oil, thus increasing the cost. Racing consumes lots of fuel, particularly on courses with frequent acceleration and braking. Every time a vehicle is slowed using the brakes, that kinetic energy loss must be recouped by burning fuel during acceleration. Moreover, engines running at high load generally use up to 20% excess fuel to provide cooling. A typical Saturday night racer can burn between 20 and 40 gallons of fuel at each event, costing literally hundreds of dollars.
E15 is a readily available fuel option that delivers higher octane than standard E10 gasoline at a price that’s often lower than regular unleaded. Containing 15% American-made bioethanol, E15 typically offers an octane rating around 88 — giving drivers a performance boost while helping engines run cleaner.
Approved for use in all 2001 and newer vehicles, E15 is a smart, affordable choice for everyday drivers looking to stretch their fuel dollars without sacrificing performance. The added octane supports smoother operation and reduced engine knock, while the renewable bioethanol component lowers emissions compared to traditional gasoline — making E15 a win for both wallets and the road ahead. Many racers are aware of this and have embraced bioethanol as the fuel of choice for many racing series. The benefit is a significant reduction in the cost of competing, emphasizing driver talent over driver bank balance: a Saturday night racer’s dream!
