Octane rating measures a fuel's resistance to detonation, the uncontrolled ignition that occurs when heat and pressure in the combustion chamber cause the air-fuel mixture to ignite before the spark plug fires. In a standard engine running modest compression, pump gas at 87 to 93 octane handles the job. In a high-compression race engine, a forced induction build, or a motor running aggressive ignition timing, that headroom disappears quickly.
High octane race fuel gives those engines the detonation resistance they require. Sunoco race fuels range from 112 to 118 octane in the leaded lineup and are formulated with the additive chemistry, batch-to-batch consistency, and fuel stability that high-performance applications demand.
Two fuels can share the same octane rating and perform very differently under race conditions. Sunoco race fuels are built through the Double Distilled™ process, which removes impurities and produces a cleaner, more consistent fuel at the molecular level. Every batch is verified before it leaves the Marcus Hook facility, so the fuel in your engine today matches what performed at your last race.
One important note before selecting a fuel: most of Sunoco's high octane lineup is leaded, meaning these fuels are for off-road and racing use only and are not compatible with oxygen sensors or catalytic converters. If your vehicle runs on public roads or your class requires unleaded fuel, 260 GT or SS 100 are the right starting point.
Octane rating measures a fuel's resistance to detonation the uncontrolled ignition that occurs when heat and pressure in the combustion chamber cause the air-fuel mixture to ignite before the spark plug fires. In a standard engine running modest compression, pump gas at 87 to 93 octane handles the job. In a high-compression race engine, a forced induction build, or a motor running aggressive ignition timing, that headroom disappears quickly.
High octane race fuel gives those engines the detonation resistance they require. Sunoco race fuels range from 110 to 118 octane in the leaded lineup and are formulated with the additive chemistry, batch-to-batch consistency, and fuel stability that high-performance applications demand. The number on the drum is a starting point, not the whole story.
Sunoco's leaded race fuel lineup covers 112 to 118 octane, with each product engineered for a specific performance range. Matching the right fuel to your engine's requirements is the difference between a tuning baseline you can build on and a moving target you are always chasing.
SR18 (118 Octane) sits at the top of the range. When compression ratios and ignition timing are pushed to their absolute limits, SR18 provides the detonation ceiling those builds require.
Cyclone 17 (117 Octane) is one step below SR18 for high-boost forced induction and drag builds that have outgrown 116 but don't need to run at the very top of the range.
DXP (116 Octane) is the 116 option built around shelf life. If you buy in volume or run an intermittent schedule, DXP's three-year-plus storage stability sets it apart from other fuels at this octane level.
Maximal (116 Octane) is the 116 option built around versatility. One fuel that works across asphalt oval, dirt, drag, and road course without sacrificing performance in any of them.
HCR Plus (114 Octane) is built for high-compression circle track and drag engines that need consistent detonation protection lap after lap. Three-year-plus shelf life with proper storage.
Supreme (112 Octane) is the broadest application fuel in the lineup. If your engine sits in the moderate-to-high compression range and you run multiple disciplines, Supreme is where most builders start.
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