MXA TEAM TESTED: VP RACING VPR OXYGENATED/LEADED FUEL

WHAT IS IT? VP Racing Fuel’s VPR blend is a 105-octane, leaded, ethanol-free, oxygenated, two-stroke race fuel.

WHAT’S IT COST? $69.72 (5-gallon drum), prices vary with world fuel prices.

CONTACT? www.vpracingfuels.com or (210) 635-7744.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with VP’s VPR race fuel.

(1) Goal. As MXA approached the two-stroke racing season, which would be highlighted by the MTA World Two-Stroke Championship”>MTA World Two-Stroke Championship and FMF 125 Dream race series, we wanted to find a consistent race fuel that would maximize the performance of our basically stock YZ125, YZ250, 250SX, 150SX, TC250 and TC125 bikes as we traveled from race to race. Last year the MXA wrecking crew ran VP T2 in our smokers. T2 is 105-octane fuel already pre-mixed at a 40:1 ratio with two-stroke oil. If we were betting men, we would bet that the fuel used in VP Racing T2 is VPR, minus the two-stroke oil. This year, at the request of both KTM and Husqvarna, we were running our Austrian two-strokes at a 60:1 premix ratio. Thus, T2 was out and VPR was in, with Maxima K2 oil added at the desired ratio.

(2) Tech stuff. VPR has a motor octane rating for 101 and a R+M/2 of 105. It has better vaporization, plus a cleaner, more-efficient burn than pump gas. VPR is oxygenated but not as much as U4.4 or MR12, so you don’t have to worry about temperature changes affecting your jetting. Since we were on the road for the two-stroke races, we didn’t have to worry about the variances in local pump gas. VPR is leaded but has a sister fuel called T4 that is unleaded.

(3) Quantities. VPR is available in 5-, 15-, 30- and 54-gallon drums. You can expect to pay a dollar less per gallon when buying 54 gallons versus 5 gallons.

(4) Jetting. VPR is a pour-in replacement for premium pump gas. MXA did not have to re-jet its bikes and depended on the recommended oil/gas ratio to keep the bikes dialed in.

(5) Power. Thanks to its higher oxygen and octane content, VPR produces more power than pump gas. The MXA wrecking crew ran both dyno and race tests. VPR increased horsepower at every rpm. It made anywhere from a quarter of a horse more to a full horse more at peak. Test riders reported a noticeable improvement in throttle response and a more stable feel at over-rev.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? VPR is one of the most affordable race fuels, but that doesn’t mean it’s cheap. The MXA wrecking crew uses it to insure consistency

MXA RATING: We love this fuel. It works well on stock or modified two-stroke engines, makes more power and allowed us to use whatever pre-mix ratio we wanted.