Availability of racing gasoline

[G B.]

I've been using undiluted VP110 racing gas in Rochester FI units for the last ten years as a slam-dunk cure for percolation problems. Availability was not an issue in the past. I always had several suppliers within 10 miles of my home. For five years one retailer even delivered it at no extra charge. This was a great benefit. Moving a 400-pound drum by yourself is not as much fun as it sounds.

Which brings us to today. Other than the local circle tracks, there are no retailers left near my home. I finally ordered some through a mechanic in a small town 25 miles away. He's a legal retailer, but doesn't stock the stuff in volume. He mostly sells 5-gallon cans to motorcycle racers.

Is this like the baby formula shortage (lack of supply) or the toilet paper shortage (panic-driven demand)? Or is it just normal capitalism seeking its own level? The cost has gone up this year to $15 a gallon from $9 two years ago, so maybe many users have stopped buying it.

[Mike M.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

local speed shop/garage i'm friends with still buy VP110 in 55 gal drums and as u noted, 15/gal not uncommon. i used to keep a barrel in my shop, but fear of fire has convinced me to get av gas at local airport and store it in a 60 gal drum in my box trailer. box trailer divorced from home and shop. the av gas seems to work well on our FI vets and last time i got a load, it was just north of 5 bucks. good luck jerry. mike

[John D.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

A customer from MA told me yesterday VP110 up to $18.00 a gallon.
Two weeks ago my Sunoco station near my house only had 87 octane. My poor monster GMC had it's first taste of that.
Trivia: Major shortage of peanut butter. Two days ago I bought the store brand.'
Life is good.

[Michael J.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

Our local Eastwood speed shop has lots in stock, at a high, constantly changing, price. I use ethanol free premium (91 octane) for my fuelies, and it works great.

[G B.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

Mike, I've found that av gas, marine gas, and pump premium don't work well for me in '57 - '62 units at idle on a 95 degree day in heavy stop-and-go traffic. Also, the lack of idle immediately after a hot re-start in '63 - '65 units is irritating.

But, I'm happy for those who are content with using cheaper fuel in their FI for whatever reason. Bitching about the cost of racing gas would be poor form. It's like complaining about the high price of horsefeed for your polo ponies. Nobody wants to hear that ****.

[Michael J.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

I should have disclosed I live at 7000 feet, and most all of my driving is at that altitude or higher, so I don't suffer many of the problems you guys near sea level face with a fuelie.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

WOW I am rich! 10 GA.in the can & 5 Ga. in each of the 3 Corvettes.

[John P.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

Yesterday I purchased 20 gal. of VP110 racing fuel for $9.99 a gal. at Purvis Bros Fuels in Mars Pa. (877-269-5527). I supplied the containers and picked it up at their pump. I would call them and get a price to drop ship a container or drum to your location. It may save you some money. This by far is the best gas I have used in my classic cars. It can remain in the system for extended periods of time with no deterioration. I have spoken to the VP representative, and he claims that the VP110 fuel can remain in the tank and system for up to 3 years without destabilizing. The longest I have had it in any of my cars was 18 months. Gas in tank looked and smelled like new, started right up without extended cranking and ran well. As for percolation, I have checked several Holley carburetors after sitting a couple days after running and found the fuel bowls still almost full.

[G B.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

Yesterday I purchased 20 gal. of VP110 racing fuel for $9.99 a gal. at Purvis Bros Fuels in Mars Pa. (877-269-5527). I supplied the containers and picked it up at their pump. I would call them and get a price to drop ship a container or drum to your location. It may save you some money. This by far is the best gas I have used in my classic cars. It can remain in the system for extended periods of time with no deterioration. I have spoken to the VP representative, and he claims that the VP110 fuel can remain in the tank and system for up to 3 years without destabilizing. The longest I have had it in any of my cars was 18 months. Gas in tank looked and smelled like new, started right up without extended cranking and ran well. As for percolation, I have checked several Holley carburetors after sitting a couple days after running and found the fuel bowls still almost full.

Thanks for posting that useful information, John.

I can still get Sunoco 110 for about $10 a gallon by driving to Gulfport. That's a little over an hour away on the freeway. The logistics and legal issues outweigh the savings, however. I don't consider Sunoco any better or worse as long as you buy it in a refinery-sealed drum. The Sunoco gas in the vented tanks at the local race tracks has a bad reputation.

The Gulfport Sunoco retailer is supposedly going to open an outlet here in Mobile this summer. I didn't want to wait.

[Larry E.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

The Above has been discussed many times on this board. BTW the current price of Av Gas100LL in Northern Illinois is>

100LL Jet A FS $7.30 $6.45 Updated 01-Jun-2022

[Michael G.]

[Michael G.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

Forgot to mention that I refill when there are about 4 gallons of the previous mix left in the tank, so the racing fuel probably boosts the octane by just under 3 points.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

I get 110 racing fuel right at the pump on Woodward Ave. at $9 a gallon. I just filled up my '69 (well a hundred dollars worth anyway) last week. With ethanol 93 octane at $6 a gallon, the difference is not as much as it was last year when the 110 was $9 and the 93 was $3.50.
Jeff

[James W.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

Sunoco 110 out of the pump here in Omaha was $9.99 last week.


James

[Dennis D.]

Re: Availability of racing gasoline

Bought 54 gal drum sunoco 112 leaded from PSC in wilkes barre pa. for under 500.00 couple years ago. Get you on delivery cost.
Now the 110 is 633 plus delivery. But it's availableScreenshot_20210215-091526_Gallery.jpg