News

May 2011 Newsletter

Welcome to our new website!  We are very excited about our new partnership with Firethorn Marketing and Clint Doll because of the great new look and the tremendous opportunity that it gives us to interact with you.  The purpose of this website is not just for sales; but, more importantly, for information.  Hopefully, you will find information that will help your race team from the carburetor all the way through the ignition and fuel systems.  We hope you will participate with us as your questions, comments, and results will benefit us all.  Our 2011 season really started at the end of 2010 with the PRI Trade Show last December.  We have found these trade shows to be very beneficial for all involved, and this year was no exception.  We had a great time at the PRI show and our son DJ was exceptionally proud of finally making the winners’ list with two track championships.  VDL is extremely proud of all its winners and champions – you can find your name on that list in our winners’ circle link.  For 2011, we are faced with an interesting dilemma.  There are now 2 major trade shows scheduled back-to-back next December.  Trade shows [...]

Brian Campbell makes History with Win in Inaugural JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour race at Toledo Speedway

Salem, Indiana (Saturday, April 23rd, 2011): Brian Campbell made history at Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio on Saturday, April 23rd as the Wyoming, Michigan veteran took the lead from 14-year-old Erik Jones on lap 18 and from there, Campbell would fend off challenges from Jones and then a late charge from another veteran, Eddie Hoffman, and in the end, Campbell would steer his McGunegill Engine Performance Ford into victory lane after winning the VR-12/Easter Bunny 100 Presented by JEGS.com, the inaugural race for the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts. “This is pretty special to come here against such a great field of cars and get to take the trophy home in the series first ever race.” Campbell stated in victory lane. “We had a great car, but we were a little worried about Erik (Jones) and then I seen the #8 go up on the scoreboard and knew that Eddie (Hoffman) was lurking back there as well, so I had to stay on top of the steering wheel.” The former Glass City 200 winner at the track added.  After a rousing pre-race ceremony and driver introduction for the stout 32-car field, the VR-12 Easter Bunny 100 Presented by [...]

Getting the most out of your crate engine

Probably the most forgotten fact about the crate engine, whether GM, Ford, or Dodge, is that it has a compression ratio of 9.0:1 to 10.0:1.  Another fact that most people do not realize is that compression ratios in this range require fuel octane ratings around 110.  Using lower octane fuels often leads to detonation which can result in engine failure or leads to a decrease in timing which results in decreased potential power.  Pump gas is not held to the quality and consistency standards required to ever be used in a racing application, and the idea of mixing fuel (pump gas and race gas) is a horrible idea.  Let me say it again – NEVER use pump gas for a racing application.  A good follow-up discussion is on our tech page.  The next mistake commonly made with crate engines (and with most other race engines as well) is spark plug heat range selection.  The very plug recommended by GM on the valve cover of their crate engine is wrong.  First, it is a resistor plug, which is not good for racing applications; and second, it is about six steps too hot.  Because of my years with Champion Spark Plug Company, [...]