How to buy RC fuels in 2023

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VIDEO

Many of you are asking the question of Nitromethane rate usable in 2023.

Since February 1, 2021, France has implemented Regulation (EU) 2019/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 20, 2019 on the marketing and use of explosives precursors.

This directive aims to limit the volume of explosive precursors (nitromethane) in model fuels to 16% by mass (12% by volume, which is the way we always wrote on fuel cans before).

While the government and the Federation of radio-controlled cars were able to reach agreements in 2021 and 2022 with derogations, it will be necessary, from January 1st, 2023, to respect this European regulation in France (many different country didn't have that clearance for the last couple of years unfortunately).

Of course RSRC is here to help you with these steps from January 1st 2023!  It doesn't matter if you have an FFVRC license or not, you will have to comply with this regulation.

However, in 2023, nitro rate testing will not be accurate or widespread.

No practical and fast system today measures the nitromethane content but only the density of the fuel. This varies with the nitromethane content but also with the temperature and many other parameters.

Nitromax 16%

In the regional races or Grand Prix (RSRC Rush for example). You will be able to use the 25% fuel you have left in most races without risk... BUT BE CAREFUL.

We are talking about the law here, you are not supposed to violate it, under penalty or sanctions, not by the federation during the technical inspection during a race, but by the police...

Police Gif

WHAT EFFECTS ON YOUR PERFORMANCE?

It seems very stressful and frustrating to reduce the power of your engine.

Stress gif

But if your engine is in a good shape, maintained and of a known brand (Picco, Reds, VS rody, OS, FX, Ultimate, Bullitt...), you will have no problem to ensure the transition.

Even more so if you use an engine from a RTR (Ready to Run) car such as Kyosho Inferno Neo, GT3 Nitro, Hobao, Hobbytech, HPI etc.

This kind of model is limited by many other elements on the car (engine puller starter, clutch, weight of the car, exhaust, engine geometry itself...) before the fuel...

I took part in the 2022 EFRA European Championship in Portugal with over 40°C and used fuel that was compliant with the regulation, containing less than 16% of regulatory nitromethane.

Obviously, the power is slightly reduced and the engine heats up more but with some adjustments you will have no problem to go fast in your practice sessions and races with this new regulation.

In the 2000's, we were using fuels with a 45% nitro content! And today, no worries with 25%, so we are not afraid with 16% tomorrow either.

As a proof, some European countries like Sweden, Finland, Italy are already respecting this regulation since the beginning of 2021. 

The majority of thermal nitro engines for radio-controlled cars today are powerful and stable enough not to be worried by this change.

WHICH FUELS?

We already have in stock several solutions for you with high quality fuels, specially designed to get the most out of your engine.

For bashers, beginners and Ready To Run usage:

RACING EXPERIENCE SPORT 5 or 2 liters:

carburant 12% nitro voiture radio-commandée racing experience Carburant modélisme 2 litres 16%

For the racers:

Hot fire Euro 16%

For the most serious racers:

In off-road, we will advise to use the on-road blends for even more power and engine stability (containing castor oil).

Racing experience GT Hot Road 16% 5 liters:

Carburant 16% modélisme

SHOOT FUEL 5 liters:

Carburant modélisme 12% 5 litres shoot fuel

TO GO EVEN FURTHER, FASTER, HIGHER...

However, if you are concerned about this, here is what you could do to your engine and its surroundings:

  • Increase the airflow accessible to the engine. There are two solutions in this case. First, use a larger diameter venturi (restrictor).

Use an air filter with a larger section. The Kyosho IF469B air filter is known as the air filter that gives your engine the most power. Many top drivers use it on their HB, Sworkz, Mayako buggys...

Filtre à air Kyosho IF469B

  • Use a longer exhaust that will give your engine more torque. It will have less trouble pulling the weight of your car. This will also make it run cooler.
  • A clutch with harder springs can also be used with the same benefits.
  • Finally, during hot weather or if you drive at high altitude (critical conditions for engines), reducing the height of the combustion chamber by 1/10 will help you gain engine stability. This means removing a 0.1mm copper shim under the head button.

Rondelles de décompression Picco

Be careful, however, to stay within the manufacturer's recommended range for clearance, i.e. the distance between the top of the piston and the glow plug insert. 

If you go outside the manufacturer's recommended range, you could prematurely damage the glow plug and your engine.

Seek professional advice to help you with this.

Lastly, we recommend that you always store your fuel in a cool, dry place, away from light.

A closed can under these conditions can be stored for 12 months without worry.

See you soon for a new episode!

The Shark
Reno Savoya

More questions? Leave-us a comment ;-)

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1 comments

ALMELET laurent - 12/14/2022 18:24:52


merci pour c est quelques conseils bien utiles surtout pour les joints de decompression concernant les fortes chaleurs a voir avec rody vs racing cordialement!!! encore une reglementation europeenne a la c... dans ce cas on arrete tout ce qui est inflammable (nitrate d amonnium , essence ,acetone, white spirit...