GingerMan fueling

I normally have a number of cheap 5 gallon cans and 2 good cans to fill the car quickly.  That way I only have to get gas once a day.  You don't need full gear to fill the cans but try to do it in as safe a way as possible.  No gas fights.

We have used a fuel buddy 30 gallon tank for years but this race we will be using a 50 gallon DOT legal marked drum.  FYI, the fuel station at the highway only can do $90 for pay at the pump but go in, use your credit card and it is unlimited.

So you're just going to fill it close to the track and drive the short distance? How are you going to dispense the fuel? I was discussing with a teammate the other day about pumps - fuel rate d ones are expensive and I don't know that I want to risk using a non-fuel rated one (something about making static electricity and whatnot)

We have a two-drum (55 gal. each) set-up on the front of our trailer.  The drums use a custom made fixture keeping them sturdy and in-place, but I only travel with the drums empty and fill up as close to the track as possible.  We use a name brand (Fill-rite), made in the USA, rotary manual drum pump to transfer the fuel into 5 gal. jugs at the track.  I believe 130 gal. is the magic number to stay under in order to legally transport fuel on public roads.  Like mentioned earlier, you'll want to go inside the gas station and tell them how much you want.  Yes, you'll probably get some funny looks/questions.  If you don't go inside and pre-pay, the pump will typically stop between $75 and $100 depending on credit card vs. specific gas station agreements.

When refueling, we keep the drums on the trailer and use standard full Lemons fueling gear (fire extinguisher and all) to transfer fuel into the 5 gal. jugs.  No, this may not be required, but it's the safest way to do it and there isn't a good reason not to.  I would not recommend putting this much fuel under a canopy where you'll be regularly working.  Farther from people and hot cars/brakes the better.  Be sure to use a STEEL (not plastic) 55 gal. drum.

You're welcome to check out our rig at the upcoming Gingerman race.  We've been doing it like this since October of 2014 and are very happy with it.

This is how the teams I've raced with have done it every time:
1. Get a bunch of 5-gal fuel jugs, they don't have to be nice, just legal and safe.
2. Get two or three (depending on how big your race car's tank is, enough to fill it) nicer ones that flow fast enough for refueling stops.
3. At the start of each day, fill up all your jugs at the local gas station and bring them to track.  If you're not camping onsite, do this on your way in.
4. During fuel stops refill the car from the good jugs
5. Between stops, transfer fuel from the cheap jugs to the good ones.  Unscrew the caps, use a big funnel and just pour it in.  Have someone nearby with a fire extinguisher just in case.  You don't have to wear a suit for this, but it's not a bad idea.  If you do it right after a pit stop, someone will still have a suit on.  Obviously don't do it near ignition sources, and use your body to block the wind.
6. Once you no longer have enough gas to fill your tank at the next stop, run to the gas station and fill all your jugs again (or however many you need to finish the day).

This is probably easier and cheaper than getting a drum, and empty fuel jugs are easy to transport (just throw 'em in the back of the truck, hang 'em from the trailer ceiling, whatever).  When I was racing the Festiva, it only took 10 gallons of gas per stop, so fueling was quick.  We typically had to make just one fuel run during the day.

Party pooper.

Stop on by any time.  We really like the set-up and it sure beats dealing with a bunch of individual gas cans all weekend (plus added safety not transporting fuel in plastic).  We make one stop at the gas station on the way to the track and 110 gal. is enough for Friday practice and Saturday/Sunday race.  You can probably find someone who can get drums for you for free (I can get them empty, used at work), but they're probably not too expensive if you have to buy them.  The only real investment is the drum pump and you can probably go cheaper than we did.

Just curious, what is wrong with plastic fuel drums?

Plastic is flammable.   Steel is also much stronger, especially at the threaded connections.  It only takes a split second for something unpredictable to happen and get out of control, whether it's an unexpected fire or a drum falling off of your trailer.  Any threaded fittings could be ripped right out of a plastic bung.  I've also seen people welding, grinding, and smoking right next to their fuel jugs at Lemons races, so no matter how safe you are, you never know what the idiot parked next to you could be doing.

In industrial settings, flammable liquids in plastic containers are highly frowned upon and is a fast way to raise your insurance rates or necessitate an upgrade of your fire suppression system.

Great! brewed up a couple batches yesterday, we'll be around (at least most of the team).  Just look for the trashcan with a faucet and con-rod poking out of it

I'll have to look into that pump...at $40 it's pretty easy to eat that

yep, that was what we got told as well form one of our friends who has done this once or twice.  He said to ensure that all vehicles show up empty just in case.  Only downside to me is driving a diesel heh.

My whole brew-setup is all cam locks...they're wonderful.  I could see those making life incredibly easy for the fuel setup

Make sure to include some of your homebrew in the Potluck Friday night.  I am bringing the trashcan kegorator with one each of Lawnmower RyePA, Tarrytown Rusty Brown and Black and Mild (dark Northern English Mild).  If you need details on the potluck, look in this section of the forum or PM me.

Friday was such a hit at NCM (which went BETTER than Gingerman) that I think it will be standing appointment any time I plan one.  Less cars are blown up and even the delicate flowers that stay in hotels are willing to hang out for a couple hours for good grub.