E85.

[Sea Fury]

So it appears that Indy cars will start running E85 in 2012, after about a half century of running methanol/ethanol. Despite the fact that it seems to have been lost amid the hype of new engine manufacturers, this seems like it will be a pretty big deal. What all will have to change as far as race tactics (ie fuel stop strategy), pit safety as far as fueling, etc? And all the other detail stuff I can't think of at the moment?

[WheelerDealer]

With Ethanol, they modified the tank capacity to accomodate the difference in fuel mileage (IIRC).

[sightlines]

I'd like to know if E85 will disperse with water.

[voice_of_reason]

I'd like to know if E85 will disperse with water.

Yes.

[porscheman]

So it appears that Indy cars will start running E85 in 2012, after about a half century of running methanol/ethanol. Despite the fact that it seems to have been lost amid the hype of new engine manufacturers, this seems like it will be a pretty big deal. What all will have to change as far as race tactics (ie fuel stop strategy), pit safety as far as fueling, etc? And all the other detail stuff I can't think of at the moment?

Nothing.

porscheman

[Indy-hp]

What is the composition of E85? Is that 85% ethanol or 85% gasoline?

[sightlines]

yep

[The Stickman]

What is the composition of E85? Is that 85% ethanol or 85% gasoline?

85% ethanol 15% gasoline

[Marc P. Gregoire]

A 35 gallon tank of methanol such as that used from 1997 until Indianapolis 2004 contained roughly two million BTUs of energy.

They then went to 30 gallons of methanol, or 1.72 million BTUs of energy.

This was later reduced to 22 gallons of ethanol, or 1.68 million BTUs of energy.

On E85, to keep that same level of energy, they would be looking at 20.5 gallons of fuel.

35 gallons of E85 would be 2.87 million BTUs of energy, or enough to go 125 miles between pit stops. That would make for a theoretical three stop Indy 500, or a single pit stop in the road/street races.

It would put a premium on tire management and strategy, or teams matching fuel level and tire wear to complete a race in the fastest possible time. Differing strategies would mean guys going forwards and backwards based on tire wear, fuel strategy, handling, etc. so it wouldn't be everybody making stops under yellow and the order not changing.

The tires are good for roughly 100 miles now, so it wouldn't be impossible for Firestone to offer a soft and a hard so there are "80 mile" and "125 mile" tires.

Just a thought.

[SpeedwayRyan]

The last few years we've been running 98% ethanol and 2% gasoline. I don't think a shift to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline will make a huge difference, especially given that we'll have new engines and a new chassis...just size the fuel tank to get the desired fuel stint length (just like when we went to the current fuel) and you're set.

[JMFVET]

A 35 gallon tank of methanol such as that used from 1997 until Indianapolis 2004 contained roughly two million BTUs of energy.

They then went to 30 gallons of methanol, or 1.72 million BTUs of energy.

This was later reduced to 22 gallons of ethanol, or 1.68 million BTUs of energy.

On E85, to keep that same level of energy, they would be looking at 20.5 gallons of fuel.

35 gallons of E85 would be 2.87 million BTUs of energy, or enough to go 125 miles between pit stops. That would make for a theoretical three stop Indy 500, or a single pit stop in the road/street races.

It would put a premium on tire management and strategy, or teams matching fuel level and tire wear to complete a race in the fastest possible time. Differing strategies would mean guys going forwards and backwards based on tire wear, fuel strategy, handling, etc. so it wouldn't be everybody making stops under yellow and the order not changing.

The tires are good for roughly 100 miles now, so it wouldn't be impossible for Firestone to offer a soft and a hard so there are "80 mile" and "125 mile" tires.

Just a thought.

Wow. Great analysis.
Based on your comments about fuel and tire strategy I think they should keep the same fuel cell size.
Thanks

[gonzo]

What is the composition of E85? Is that 85% ethanol or 85% gasoline?

Like stickman said, 85% ethanol. It is regulated under the food and drug administration. It is actually food grade. It's grain alcohol. They only add the gasoline to prevent people from drinking it. Seriously. 100% ethanol you could suck right out of the pump. The gasoline additive prevents you from doing that.

[SpeedwayRyan]

Like stickman said, 85% ethanol. It is regulated under the food and drug administration. It is actually food grade. It's grain alcohol. They only add the gasoline to prevent people from drinking it. Seriously. 100% ethanol you could suck right out of the pump. The gasoline additive prevents you from doing that.

2% gasoline (like the series currently uses) is plenty to denature ethanol.

[voice_of_reason]

Like stickman said, 85% ethanol. It is regulated under the food and drug administration. It is actually food grade. It's grain alcohol. They only add the gasoline to prevent people from drinking it. Seriously. 100% ethanol you could suck right out of the pump. The gasoline additive prevents you from doing that.

How do you know? Are you talking from expierence? If so, that explains so much

[NoviVespa]

100 per cent grain alcohol is 200 proof. I believe they used to sell 185 proof, but, I think it has been outlawed.