Thu, 16 Dec 1999, 06:59 PM NHRA Selects V-P Racing Gas for Pros

By Ed Dykes Comp Eliminator Racers Also Affected

GLENDORA, Calif. -- Graham Light, NHRA's Senior Vice President of Competition, held a telephone conference call today with close to one hundred competitors in the organization's gasoline-burning professional categories -- Pro Stock, Pro Stock Truck, and Pro Stock Motorcycle -- to announce that NHRA would adopt a single spec gasoline for the categories in 2000.

Light also announced that Competition Eliminator racers will be required to run the spec gasoline at all 42 Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series events in 2000.

V-P Racing Fuels has been selected as the Official Fuel Supplier of the NHRA, and the racers will be required to run the specific blend of V-P gasoline as designated for their category.

"This summer, we started running into some problems with gasoline," Light explained. "We want to make gasoline a constant; we don't need a bunch of mad scientists out there. The Tech Department analyzed the problem and came up with a what we believe is a long term solution."

"The decision was heavily weighted on competition and technical issues. We've entered into an exclusive arrangement with V-P Racing Gasoline. We have worked with V-P to identify the specific blends that will be allowed in 2000. In Comp, because of the wide variety of engines in the category, competitors will be able to run V-P C-14, C-16, C-19, or C-25. The professional categories will be restricted to the V-P blend C-25.

"We feel this is in the best interest of the sport. V-P and our Tech department are looking at better methods of inspecting the gasoline, and we will have that capability on site."

Further details will be made available later today, including an official statement from NHRA which will be posted in this section.