Fuel & Octane - Follow Up & Thanks

[TJCallahan@domain.elided]

In AD v7n977, I wrote asking for opinions on using higher than normal octane 
fuel while I run on the track. I received three replies, all very polite and 
appreciated.

All three were self-characterized as "nonscientific" or similar (one began 
with "If you want opinions not encumbered by silly facts: ...) and another 
did reference an automotive training session recently attended. All were 
reasonable in their opinions and measured in temperament.

Two made observations of the "if it doesn't ping on the street, you won't 
need higher on the track" type. One of those two did allow that higher than 
normal under hood (bonnet) temperatures could be a factor, however.

The third suggested using the higher octane fuel as cheap insurance. The very 
practical rational was that the difference between the street grade and the 
higher fuel would be about $1USD per average tank. The unstated but clearly 
implied idea was that the higher octane fuel certainly wouldn't do any harm, 
even if it did nothing to improve performance.

I appreciate the responses and will carry these thoughts with me as I head 
off to the track in the early morning, chanting my mantra 
"gofastbrakehardturninaccelerateout" and trying very hard at the final fuel 
stop before the track to remember that gasoline is NOT spelled D-I-E-S-E-L. 
Oh to have just a little caffeine ...

Thanks for the resposnses!

ciao

Tom
'63 Spider
'86 "Alfa" Jetta
gofastbrakehardturninaccelerateout,
gofastbrakehardturninaccelerateout,
gofastbrakehardturninaccelerateout ... smoooothly
Seattle

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