Fuel Strategy Calculator
Plan pit stop timing and fuel load for endurance races. Calculate the optimal number of stints, fuel per stint, and total pit time to minimize race duration.
Inputs
Results
Stints Needed
3
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Total Race Laps, Fuel Consumption per Lap, and Tank Capacity.
- Set Pit Stop Time and Average Lap Time.
- Review the Stints Needed result.
- Use Laps per Stint and Total Pit Stops to inform your decision.
- Use the chart to visualize the results and explore different scenarios by adjusting inputs.
What each input means
- Total Race Laps
- Total number of laps in the race. For timed races, estimate based on race duration divided by average lap time.
- Fuel Consumption per Lap
- Average fuel used per lap in liters. Measure during practice with consistent pace.
- Tank Capacity
- Total usable fuel tank capacity in liters. Account for any unusable fuel at the bottom of the tank.
- Pit Stop Time
- Total time lost per pit stop including pit lane entry, fueling, and exit. Includes speed limit zone time.
- Average Lap Time
- Expected average lap time in seconds. Use a realistic race pace, not qualifying pace.
What each result means
- Stints Needed
- Total number of fuel stints required to complete the race.
- Laps per Stint
- Maximum laps on a full tank with a half-lap fuel reserve.
- Total Pit Stops
- Number of pit stops required (one fewer than the number of stints).
- Total Pit Time
- Combined time spent on all pit stops.
- Fuel per Stint
- Amount of fuel to load for each stint.
- Est. Total Race Time
- Estimated total race time including pit stops.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersTotal Race Laps = 60, Fuel Consumption per Lap = 2.5, Tank Capacity = 60, Pit Stop Time = 30 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Stints NeededStints Needed3 = 3
- Calculate Laps per Stint23 = 23
- Calculate Total Pit StopsTotal Pit Stops2 = 2
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