How much fuel to run at a track day?

[Mort]

Just been thinking I've been missing a track. I Notice some of the racing lads put a small amount of fuel in to the bike between sessions at a track day.... obviously to save weight. Usually I turn up with a full tank and extra in a can. I may be carrying 15Kg of fuel more than I need to (I'm fat enough as it is !!!)

So, I'd like to try running the bike as light as possible without running out of fuel.

I have a bog-standard 07 CBR1000RR. What is the best way to ensure you have enough fuel for the session and have the minimum amount in the tank ? I don't want to get involved in draining the tank. The tank holds 18 litres. I think the fuel light comes on with about 3 or 4 litres (but i'm not sure) left but thats the only way I have of measuring.

I was thinking of the following :

• Run the bike till the light shows
• Go to track
• Add fuel till the light goes out
• Add 2 litres more
• Do 1st session.
• If light is showing at the end of session repeat steps above. If light is not showing add 1 litre and continue to reduce after each session until the light shows at the end of the session.

I was just wondering how other riders judge how much to put in each session. (given all bikes are different and one rider may use more than another of course)


Cheers

[R6_kid:Me]

Fill it as you normally would. Unless you're a really quick rider, you won't really notice the difference between a half tank and a full tank, other than the fact that one of the two runs out twice as fast as the other.

[Mort]

I can notice the difference though... OK its not going to knock 10 secs of my lap but I thought I'd try it.

[R6_kid:Me]

Fair enough, your plan sounds like a good place to start.

[Gremlin]

Start with as little as possible.

Us marshals love watching people push their bikes off the track/into pits when they forget to fill between sessions, or don't put enough in.

Can't say you really NEED the difference... but otherwise calculate on average (conservatively) how many kilometres you are going to do, your fuel consumption, and chuck that much in...

[slowpoke]

I've got the same bike, '06 'blade with a few mods. I'm certainly no expert but I just use a piece of dowel to gauge how much fuel I've got left after each session and top it up accordingly. Ya soon get a feel for it.

I'm not good enough to be worried about 0.5L here or there but I'd rather not be carrying around 10 extra kg's, and the bike definitely feels better without it.

[Tony.OK]

I normally put in 5 litres per session, I should do the dowel thing but I'm a lazy prick, 2 or 3 litres over doesn't have too much affect on handling.
Just as a 1000rr matter of interest, I get 90ish kms from full to reserve light at the track.

[Tony.OK]

I've got the same bike, '06 'blade with a few mods. .

A few mods?.....................................

[racerhead]

Ive used the dowel trick aswell and tried to keep over 1.5 litres in the tank because my bike didint run too well around long left handers if the fuel was any lower. After each 20 minute session I was adding about 2-2.5 litres but this was only on a 400 so no idea what the thousands would be using.

[FROSTY:Me]

Mort heres an idea for ya. saves a bunch of sticks n stuff.
Figure out exactly the USABLE tank capacity of your bike. Thats as easy as running it till the fuel light comes on then seeing how many litres it takes to fill.-note that figure down
Start the trackday with a full tank. End of first session use a measuring jug to fill the tank back up.
Bingo you have the quantity of fuel you use per session.
I actually calculate to 120% of that quantity just to be sure. In your case I'd make it 1.5 litres extra.
Now ONCE only you can either drain the tank dry and pour in the fuel load you need per session.use that figure so you know in future. OR you now know within 15% how much fuel youll burn and you can just put in enough to avoid running out before end of the last session.
From then on you'll have the figure for that track.

[slowpoke]

A few mods?.....................................

It doesn't matter how good the thoroughbred's bloodline is if the jockey sits backwards in the saddle.....

[Mort]

top tips fellas.... thanks for that

I'll definately try it at the next trackday... not expecting miracles but I se the racers doing it so why not.

Cheers

[emaN]

i do it on the RF & it makes a big difference.
i use a stick with a bit of tape; found out how far up to place the tape by 'trial & error'
(i only made that mistake once)