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OUR STORY

 

THE BEGINNING

VP Racing Fuels was founded by Steve Burns, who initially exhibited his aptitude for R&D in the early 1970’s as a young racer in San Antonio, Texas. Self-taught in chemistry and physics, Steve was convinced the race fuel manufacturers of the day were falling short in their quest for optimum horsepower.

To address this shortcoming, he began experimenting with exotic blends of fuel, much to the dismay of his parents whose garage served as Steve’s laboratory. Steve began at the local tracks of Texas, where racers tried his fuel and liked the power gains. His first fuel was christened “C12™,” the word spread and Steve’s company was founded as VP Racing Fuels in 1975.

Vintage drag racing photo circa 1960s

EARLY INFLUENCERS

Early on, Steve met two other young Texans–Buddy Morrison and David Reher—with whom Steve conducted most of VP’s early testing and development. In a symbiotic relationship, the advancements in VP’s fuel technology spawned advancements in Reher-Morrison’s engine development, which in turn spawned more advancements in fuel technology—a continuous circle of technological innovation.

VP’s first official “paying” customer was a relatively unknown drag racer named Warren Johnson, who along with Bob Glidden also contributed greatly to VP’s R&D efforts. Ultimately, each of these individuals won multiple national championships and evolved into household names in NHRA pits around the country, with C12™ going on to become arguably the most successful race fuel in motorsports.

VP Racing Fuels main plant in Texas

WORLD LEADER IN FUEL TECHNOLOGY®

From a single location with two employees in San Antonio, Texas, VP has grown to over 300 employees with five company-owned and operated race fuel distribution points in Texas, Indiana, Delaware, and Tennessee, a regional office in southern California, and an international office in Berlin. Each of these distribution points maintains an inventory of VP fuels available for immediate transport within a day’s drive to virtually any major racing event in North America. The result is that racers and sanctioning bodies can count on access to the availability of quality fuel. VP’s distribution network of 2000+ dealers around the world extends to Europe, Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Rim.

VP is now recognized by many as the world leader in race fuel technology, with a catalog of more than 80 fuel blends and a growing roster of VP-fueled champions across the entire spectrum of motorsports. The passion and dedication of VP’s development team to staying on the leading edge of technology is legendary. Most of VP’s employees are or have been racers in one form or another and are driven by the competitive will to win. Together, the VP team intends to solidify its position as the true World Leader in Race Fuel Technology for years to come.