CREVENTIC will replace its customary refuelling station with individual fuel rigs at the Michelin 992 Endurance Cup powered by Porsche Motorsport on 6-7 September at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
Words - James Gent
Images - Nico Mombaerts
Individual fuelling rigs will be used at an official CREVENTIC endurance event for the very first time at the Michelin 992 Endurance Cup powered by Porsche Motorsport on 6-7 September.
Hitherto, teams competing at official CREVENTIC events have been required to use a dedicated refuelling area, erected either at the end or the beginning of pitroad. For the inaugural 992 Endurance Cup, CREVENTIC will instead equip each team with a fuelling rig of their own for use during their respective pit stops.
It is strongly believed that the use of individual fuel rigs will make pit stops noticeably quicker compared with a dedicated refuelling station, and as a result, will keep on-track competition that much closer across the 12-hour event.
Safety remains the top priority for every CREVENTIC event however, and this decision was made with full confidence that the Dutch promoter and race control at Spa-Francorchamps can police the use of these universal fuel rigs – prepared ahead of time specifically for use with Porsche’s ‘type 992’ 911 GT3 Cup – effectively and absolutely.
FIA-grade refuel rigs, complying to FIA App. J. Art. 257A, can either be rented or bought via CREVENTIC. Each refuel rig will include:
· Flight case, which serves as both storage and a trolley
· Caseliner 185-litre fuel rig, and the required mounting screws and bearings.
· Two, 4-metre transparent fuel hoses (one for fuel, one for air).
· A two-inch dual male probe ATL with handle.
· Flame retarder, and all required camlocks and hose clamps.
Teams will be allowed to use their own existing rig, provided it meets FIA app. J art. 257A criteria and is fitted with the correct male probe and dual female dry break, two-inch valve.
While the use of rigs is a departure from the 24H SERIES’ traditional means of refuelling, mandates will be in place – and heavily policed – to ensure the safety of everyone in the pitlane.
Each fuel rig must be outfitted with an ATL 992 Fuel Neck Conversion kit, which converts a standard filler neck to accept the series’ mandatory dual, two-inch dry break female valve (priced €1,650). Hoods must remain closed during refuelling, with fuel instead being administered through a pre-prepared and pre-approved fuel neck. Teams must contact CREVENTIC for dimensions for the required hole in their Porsche’s hood.
Finally, to reduce the risk of spills, the 992 Endurance Cup will also feature a minimum enforced stationary time during refuelling. The elapsed time for each team will be displayed via their car’s LED and driver display, which will be provided at no additional cost by CREVENTIC.
Throughout the 6-7 September weekend, teams are also expected to outfit their cars with MyLaps X2 RaceLink, which shows the live position, on-track and/or in the pitlane, of all cars via GPS. This system works in tandem with LUMIRANK, which highlights both the position of the car in their class and the three-letter code of the driver currently in the car. Teams will also be required to equip their cars with Porsche’s datalogger, bespoke Pagid Racing brake pads, and illuminated back panels during the 992 Endurance Cup.
