How Much Fuel To Run In Iracing Dirt Official Races
Learn exactly How Much Fuel To Run In Iracing Dirt Official Races with a simple formula, class-by-class baselines, and mistakes to avoid. Finish fast, no pits.
You’re lining up for a dirt official and you’re not sure how much fuel to put in. Too much makes the car heavy and tight. Too little and you’re coasting to the pits while everyone drives by. This guide shows you exactly how to decide How Much Fuel To Run In Iracing Dirt Official Races, fast and safely.
Quick answer: Use a simple formula: measure your burn per lap in practice, multiply by race laps, then add 10–15% plus one extra green lap for formation/green–white–checkered. If you’re in a hurry, use the class baselines below and you’ll finish most 25–35 lap features without pitting.
Why fuel matters in iRacing dirt (and how it changes your car)
Fuel isn’t just “will I make it?” It also changes balance:
- More fuel = heavier car. On Late Models and Mods, that extra weight can make you tighter (understeer) on entry and slower off.
- Sprints carry fuel in the tail tank. More fuel can keep the car more planted on entry; as it burns, the car frees up (gets looser).
- The right fill saves tenths every lap and keeps the handling consistent across the run.
And yes—official dirt features are short. You almost never want to pit for fuel. Plan it right and avoid that headache.
How Much Fuel To Run In Iracing Dirt Official Races: the short formula
Do this every time (takes 2–3 minutes):
- Find burn per lap
- In practice/warmup, put in a known amount of fuel (or just note current).
- Run 8–10 clean green-flag laps at your expected race pace.
- Open the fuel black box (usually F4/F5 depending on your keybinds) and note fuel used. Divide used fuel by green laps completed.
- Burn per lap = fuel used ÷ laps.
- Calculate race requirement
- Total race laps: check Session Info for Feature length. Add 1 lap for formation/pace.
- Required fuel = (burn per lap × total laps) × 1.10 to 1.15 (10–15% safety for cautions/overdriving).
- Set it and grid
- Round up to the nearest 0.1 gal for peace of mind.
- Re-check if rules include green–white–checkered (add 2 laps per attempt), or if caution laps count.
Example (made-up numbers to show the math):
- You used 1.2 gal over 10 green laps → 0.12 gal/lap.
- Feature is 30 laps, plus 1 formation lap = 31.
- Base fuel = 0.12 × 31 = 3.72 gal.
- Add 15% = 3.72 × 1.15 = 4.28 → set 4.4–4.6 gal.
60‑second cheat sheet: conservative starting points by class
These ranges will reliably finish most 25–35 lap official features on 1/4–3/8 mile tracks with a small buffer. Always check Session Info for fuel capacity limits and adjust for longer features.
- Dirt Street Stock: 3.0–4.0 gal
- 305 Sprint (Winged): 5.5–7.0 gal
- 360 Sprint (Winged): 7.0–9.0 gal
- 410 Sprint (Winged): 8.0–11.0 gal
- 410 Sprint (Non‑Wing): 9.0–12.0 gal
- Dirt Midget: 5.0–7.0 gal
- Limited/Pro/Super Late Model: 6.0–9.0 gal (use higher end for longer features)
- UMP/358/Big Block Modified: 5.0–8.0 gal
Notes:
- Tracks with long cautions or series with green–white–checkered: use the higher end or add 0.5–1.0 gal.
- Half-mile tracks (Eldora/Knoxville) at flat-out pace can push consumption up—don’t skip the quick 10‑lap measurement if time allows.
- Some series cap fuel tank percentage in Session Info. You can’t overfill beyond that cap.
Step-by-step: the 3-minute fuel plan before every race
- Open Session Info
- Confirm Feature lap count, caution rules (do caution laps count?), green–white–checkered attempts, and fuel capacity %.
- If there are heats, remember you can usually adjust before the Feature during Warmup.
- Measure burn (fast)
- In practice/warmup, run 10 green laps at race pace.
- Note starting fuel, ending fuel, and calculate burn per lap as above.
- Do the math
- Required fuel = (burn per lap × [Feature laps + 1]) × 1.10–1.15.
- Add 2 laps per green–white–checkered attempt if listed.
- Set and sanity-check
- Round up a tenth or two.
- Think handling: if your setup tends to go loose late, a tad more fuel can keep it calmer on exit.
- Grid
- Don’t forget to save your setup/fuel so you’re not stuck at default at grid time.
Key things beginners should know
- Fixed vs. Open: In fixed setup series, fuel is locked. Your job is pacing, not guessing. In open setup series, you choose the fuel.
- Caution laps: Whether they count varies by series. Check Session Info. Even when they don’t count, idling still burns some fuel.
- Formation/pace laps: Always add at least one lap to your calculation.
- Green–white–checkered: Can add 2+ laps per attempt. Confirm attempts in the rules.
- Fuel capacity limits: Some series restrict max fuel (% of tank). Plan with the cap in mind.
- Handling changes: Extra fuel makes Late Models/Mods tighter; Sprints freer as fuel burns off. Plan around your car’s tendency.
- Pit strategy: Pitting for fuel almost always ruins your race. Plan to finish without stopping.
Expert tips to improve faster
- Focus on “green pace” when measuring burn. Over-sliding the car spikes fuel use and makes your estimate wrong and your tires unhappy.
- Use the same track state when possible. Practice in “Use Session” so your test resembles the Feature grip level.
- Watch the fuel black box laps-remaining estimate. It updates based on your last few laps—handy, but still keep your 10–15% manual buffer.
- Consider a tiny late-fill tweak. If your car goes too free late, add 0.2–0.3 gal. If it’s too tight, trim 0.2–0.3 gal—only if your buffer still covers cautions.
- Optional tools: Free CrewChief or overlays can auto-calc fuel from your last laps. Great safety net, but you should still know the manual math.
- Racecraft > fuel saving. Lifting to save fuel on dirt often makes you a sitting duck. Plan enough fuel so you can race hard.
Common beginner mistakes (and quick fixes)
Guessing without testing
- Symptom: Running heavy or running out.
- Fix: Always do a 10‑lap measurement and use the formula. It takes 2 minutes.
Forgetting formation and GWC laps
- Symptom: Out of fuel on the overtime restart.
- Fix: Add 1 formation lap and 2 laps per GWC attempt to your total.
Ignoring caution rules
- Symptom: Run short in a caution-heavy Feature.
- Fix: Check if caution laps count and add 10–15% buffer minimum.
Overfilling by gallons
- Symptom: Car is lazy/too tight from lap 1.
- Fix: Don’t double the safe load. Use a smart buffer, not a bathtub.
Copying someone else’s number blindly
- Symptom: Wrong for your pace and track length.
- Fix: Your pace and line = your burn. Measure your own.
FAQs
Q: What’s the fastest way to know fuel for tonight’s race? A: Run 10 green laps in practice, note fuel used, divide by 10 for burn per lap. Multiply by Feature laps + 1, then add 10–15%. Set and go.
Q: Do caution laps count in iRacing dirt features? A: It depends on the series. Open Session Info to see “Caution laps count: Yes/No.” Regardless, you still burn some fuel under yellow, so keep the buffer.
Q: Can I refuel during the race? A: Yes, but it’s almost never worth it. You’ll lose a ton of track position and might take a lap if you pit at the wrong time. Plan to finish without pitting.
Q: Does carrying extra fuel slow me down? A: A little. Extra fuel adds weight and can change balance (often tighter). Use enough to finish plus a buffer—don’t overfill by gallons.
Q: Where do I see or change my fuel amount? A: Use the fuel black box (cycle the F-keys; it’s usually F4/F5 by default). You can set fuel before gridding or in the garage for open-setup series.
Q: What about heat races and warmup? A: Heats are short—fuel isn’t an issue. You can usually adjust fuel during Warmup before the Feature. Check if your series allows changes between sessions.
Conclusion: Your simple, repeatable fuel plan
You don’t need a spreadsheet. Measure 10 laps, do the quick math, add a smart buffer, and you’ll finish strong without hauling extra weight. You’ll also learn how fuel changes your handling—huge for race pace and confidence.
Next step: In your next practice, time yourself—do the 10‑lap fuel check and write the number on a sticky note for that car/track. Rinse and repeat. You’ll never guess again.
Suggested images (optional):
- Screenshot of iRacing fuel black box showing current fuel, add/remove controls, and laps remaining.
- Simple diagram: “Fuel plan flow” (Measure → Multiply → Add buffer → Set and grid).
- Table-style graphic: baseline fuel ranges by class for 25–35 lap features.