Fuel a Race Car
Most race cars do not carry enough fuel to complete a race from start to finish. They must return to the pit area for more fuel, which is commonly called a pit stop. During the pit stop, pit crew members quickly put new tires on the car while fueling to the car to finish the race. Use these tips to learn how to fuel a race car.
Contents
Steps
Check The Car Refueling Port
- Check the operation of the door on the refueling port before the car leaves the pit to enter the race. Make sure that the refueling door opens smoothly and closes firmly.
- Make sure that the fuel feed pipe is unobstructed. Examine the opening of the fuel feed pipe for obstructions. Clear any obstructions from the fuel feed pipe.
- Clean the opening of the fuel feed pipe. Wipe it with a clean, dry cloth. This will prevent any foreign substances from being swept down into the fuel feed pipe as the fuel is put into the pipe.
- Confirm that fuel is available for refueling. Make sure that 2 fuel delivery canisters of appropriate size and type for the race car are filled with the type of fuel required by the race car.
- Prepare and secure the fuel delivery canisters. Make sure that the 2 filled fuel delivery canisters are ready in the garage near the pit area. Ensure that the fuel delivery canisters are secured in baskets or by tie down straps so that the canisters can not be accidentally knocked over.
- Outfit 2 pit crew members with fire protective clothing. One of the pit crew members will fuel the car, while the other will carry the second fuel delivery canister and an approved fuel overflow catch pan.
Perform the Refueling
- Get into position for the approaching pit stop. Have 1 crew member pick up the first fuel delivery canister. Have a second crew member pick up the second fuel delivery canister and the fuel overflow catch pan.
- Attach the first fuel refilling canister. As the race car comes to a stop in the pit, open the door on the refueling port. Insert the nozzle of the first fuel delivery canister into the fuel feed pipe and invert the fuel delivery canister to allow the fuel to flow out. Hold the fuel delivery canister at about a 60-degree angle.
- Catch overflow fuel from the first fuel canister. The crew member with the fuel overflow catch pan must set down the fuel delivery canister that was carried out, and place the fuel overflow catch pan to catch fuel overflows.
- Attach the second refueling canister. When the first fuel delivery canister is empty, pull it out of the fuel feed pipe and set it down away from the race car. Pick up the second fuel delivery canister, insert the nozzle of the canister into the fuel feed pipe, and invert the canister to a 60-degree angle.
- Catch overflow fuel from the second fuel canister. Use the fuel overflow catch pan to catch fuel that overflows.
- Complete the fueling. When the second fuel delivery canister is empty, pull it out of the fuel feed pipe. Close the door on the refueling port.
- Clear the pit area. The 2 crew members wearing fire protective clothing must take the 2 empty fuel canisters and the fuel overflow catch pan back into the garage area.
Warnings
- A filled fuel delivery canister can weigh as much as 90 pounds (41 kg). Handle the fuel delivery canisters firmly and with care.
- Fuel that overflows during the refueling operation is flammable. Nearby hot race car parts may create an ignition hazard.
- The fuel overflow catch pan must be handled carefully as it is being carried into the garage area. Do not spill fuel from the fuel overflow catch pan as it is being carried back to the garage.
Things You'll Need
- Approved fuel delivery canisters
- Approved fuel overflow catch pan
- Approved race car fuel
- Clean and dry wiping cloth
- Fire protective clothing
