Katerina Swanson
The Bathurst 1000, also known as the Great Race, is the most famous race in the Supercars Championship calendar, which includes 14 events in total. The race has been held annually since 1960 and is the longest in terms of both race distance and time. The Bathurst 1000 covers 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) over 161 laps of the Mount Panorama Circuit, taking between six and seven hours to complete. The race is exclusively for V8 supercars, and each car is expected to consume at least 1,800 litres of the E85 fuel blend, which consists of 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded petrol. The switch to ethanol fuel in 2009 was done to reduce carbon emissions and improve the environmental friendliness of the sport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of laps | 161 |
| Total race distance | 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) |
| Total race time | 6-7 hours |
| Total fuel used by 25 Supercars | 45,000 litres of BP Ultimate's E85 blend |
| Fuel used per lap | 5.5 litres |
| Fuel used per car | 1800 litres |
| Fuel blend | 85% ethanol and 15% BP Ultimate unleaded petrol |
| Number of tyres | 1436 hard compound tyres and 500+ wet tyres |
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What You'll Learn
E85 fuel blend used since 2009
The Bathurst 1000 has used the E85 fuel blend since 2009. E85 is an abbreviation referring to an ethanol fuel blend of 85% ethanol fuel and 15% gasoline or other hydrocarbons by volume. The blend used at Bathurst consists of 85% ethanol and 15% BP Ultimate unleaded petrol. The use of E85 fuel resulted in increased fuel consumption, requiring more pit stops.
E85 fuel is sometimes criticised for having a lower heating value compared to gasoline, which can make it harder to start engines in colder climates. However, ethanol advocates argue that ethanol engines should be based on diesel engine design parameters, which can result in higher brake thermal efficiency levels than gasoline engines. Additionally, E85 fuel can further reduce emissions of certain pollutants compared to conventional gasoline or lower-volume ethanol blends, including carbon monoxide and benzene, a known human carcinogen.
The use of E85 fuel can also have economic benefits, depending on the price of crude oil. It is often subsidised due to its lower heating value, and it can be sourced from domestic or renewable sources such as corn, sugarcane, or waste cellulose. This reduces dependence on foreign petroleum sources and can result in lower costs compared to standard gasoline blends.
E85 fuel is not compatible with all engines, as some vehicles are not designed to accept fuel with increased amounts of ethanol. Engines that can run on E85 are referred to as flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs) or flex-fuel vehicles and have sensors to detect the amount of ethanol present and make necessary adjustments.
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1800L of fuel used per car
The Bathurst 1000, also known as the "Great Race", is the most famous race in the Supercars Championship calendar. It is a four-day event, consisting of two 250-kilometre races for V8 Supercars, as well as additional practice and qualifying races. The race takes place over 161 laps of the Mount Panorama Circuit, covering 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) in total, and taking between six and seven hours to complete.
Each V8 Supercar is expected to use around 1800 litres of fuel over the four days of the Bathurst 1000. This fuel is a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded petrol, known as E85. The use of this fuel blend is a result of a deal between V8 Supercars Australia and CSR Ethanol, which aimed to reduce the environmental impact of the race series. The higher ethanol concentration in E85 results in lower CO2 emissions compared to traditional petrol, with Ian Glasson, CEO of CSR Sugar, claiming that "every litre of E85 made from CSR Ethanol produces less than half the CO2 emissions as one litre of petrol".
The fuel consumption of the V8 Supercars at Bathurst is a significant factor in race strategy. The soft tyres used in the race provide better grip but also increase fuel consumption, as the cars spend more time at full throttle. This can result in teams having to conserve fuel during the race to avoid running out before the end. The presence of a Safety Car during the race can also impact fuel consumption, as it affects the overall distance covered and the time spent at full throttle.
The total fuel consumption for the Bathurst 1000 is significant, with more than 45,000 litres of E85 blend required to fuel 25 Supercars. This has led to the event being described as "the ultimate challenge to provide both quality and quantity" in terms of fuel supply.
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5.5L of fuel used per lap
The Bathurst 1000, also known as the "Great Race", is the most famous race in the Supercars Championship calendar. It is held over four days and covers 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) in total, taking between six and seven hours to complete. The race consists of 161 laps around the Mount Panorama circuit, with each lap requiring approximately 5.5 litres of fuel. This means that each car is expected to consume at least 1,800 litres of fuel during the race.
The fuel used in the Bathurst 1000 is E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded petrol. This fuel blend was introduced in 2009 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the high-performance V8 Supercars. The use of E85 fuel has been well-received by the racing community, as it provides the same power and performance as traditional petrol blends while significantly reducing exhaust fumes and producing less than half the CO2 emissions.
The high fuel consumption of the V8 Supercars at Bathurst presents a unique set of challenges for the racing teams. With each lap requiring 5.5 litres of fuel, strategic fuel management becomes crucial to ensure the cars can complete the race without running out of fuel. Some teams may choose to conserve fuel throughout the race, while others may refuel multiple times to maintain their performance.
The decision to refuel is further complicated by the compulsory tyre change rule, where cars racing on softer tyres must make at least one stop to change all four tyres. This rule adds another layer of strategy to the race, as teams must carefully time their stops to balance fuel consumption and tyre performance.
Overall, the fuel consumption of 5.5 litres per lap in the Bathurst 1000 highlights the importance of strategic planning and fuel management in V8 Supercar racing. The high-thrill race pushes the limits of both drivers and their machines, making it a highly anticipated event in the Supercars Championship.
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Fuel conservation strategies
One key strategy for fuel conservation is tyre choice. The grippier Dunlop soft tyres, for example, can provide better traction and allow drivers to maintain speed through corners, but they may consume more fuel. Teams must decide whether to sacrifice fuel efficiency for better lap times or conserve fuel and make fewer pit stops. The timing of pit stops is also crucial, as stopping early or taking on extra fuel can impact race strategy and overall performance.
Another factor in fuel conservation is the role of the safety car. The presence of a safety car can influence fuel strategy, as it allows some teams to conserve fuel by running at a slower pace. Additionally, the mandatory two pit stops during Sunday races, which are governed by a minimum fuel drop, help to even out consumption and discourage teams from running their engines too lean, which could cause damage.
The circuit itself also plays a role in fuel conservation strategies. The Mount Panorama circuit, for example, requires approximately 5.5 litres of fuel per lap, and each car is expected to need at least 1800 litres of the E85 blend across the four days of the Bathurst 1000. With the cars spending a significant amount of time at full throttle, teams must carefully consider their fuel usage to ensure they do not run out before the end of the race.
Overall, fuel conservation strategies in V8 Supercar racing are complex and multifaceted. Teams must balance fuel efficiency with speed and performance, making strategic decisions about tyre choice, pit stops, and fuel loads to ensure they get the most out of their cars while adhering to regulations and staying competitive.
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Fuel sponsor: CSR Ethanol
The Supercars Championship, historically known as the V8 Supercars, is a touring car racing category in Australia and New Zealand. The Bathurst 1000, also known as the "Great Race", is the most famous race on the Supercars calendar and is held over four days. The race consists of two 250-kilometre races for the V8 Supercars, along with additional practice and qualifying races.
The Bathurst 1000 is known for its high fuel consumption, with each lap around the Mount Panorama circuit requiring approximately 5.5 litres of fuel. Each car is expected to consume at least 1800 litres of the E85 blend, which consists of 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded petrol, over the four days of the event.
CSR Ethanol has played a significant role in the V8 Supercar Championship Series as the official fuel sponsor. The partnership was announced at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, with CSR Ethanol committing to supply fuel for the high-performance V8 Supercars starting in the 2009 season. The E85 blend used by the Supercars not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also provides the same power and performance as traditional petrol blends.
The adoption of CSR Ethanol as the official fuel has had a positive impact on the environment. According to Ian Glasson, CEO of CSR Sugar, each litre of E85 fuel produces less than half the CO2 emissions compared to petrol. This initiative is part of the V8 Racing Green carbon offset program, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the racing industry.
The use of ethanol-blended fuel in the V8 Supercars sends a strong message to followers and the wider community about the viability of ethanol as a petrol alternative. V8 Supercars Australia Chairman Tony Cochrane emphasised that ethanol is a fully viable alternative fuel that can power high-performance vehicles like the V8 Supercars. This encourages the adoption of ethanol blends by everyday road users, contributing to a more sustainable environment.
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Frequently asked questions
A V8 Supercar is expected to consume at least 1800L of fuel across the four-day Bathurst event.
Since 2009, V8 Supercars have used the E85 fuel blend, which consists of 85% ethanol and 15% unleaded petrol.
The switch to the E85 fuel blend was made to reduce greenhouse emissions from V8 Supercars racing. E85 produces less than half the CO2 emissions compared to regular petrol.
Fuel strategy plays a crucial role in the race. Some teams may need to conserve fuel throughout the race, while others will refuel to make it to the end. The soft tyres used in the race provide better grip but also increase fuel consumption, making fuel management a critical aspect of the race strategy.
Fuel consumption can significantly impact the number of pit stops required during the race. In 2009, the introduction of the E85 fuel blend led to increased fuel consumption and more frequent pit stops. Teams must carefully consider their fuel strategy to balance performance and fuel efficiency.
