Super Unleaded NC500

[shed driver]

My 1973 P5B coupe seems like an ideal (if expensive) car to undertake the NC500 in May next year.

I'm wondering if E5 97+ RON is widely available. My useful range is about 200 miles per tank.

Any hints or tips, obviously I'll carry a few litres extra in the boot, but I'd rather rely on frequent fill ups.

SD.

[John D.]

When I did it years ago the organiser planned out the stops and we were generally OK for super. No idea where those stops were now I'm afraid! A few people brought octane booster just in case. Better option than carrying litres of fuel I'd have thought.

[littleredrooster]

If you download the app 'Petrol Map' and register with them, you can search any geographical area for a specific fuel, and it gives you current prices too.

Edit: ...or indeed, Petrolprices.com for your PC

[v8notbrave]

Did it earlier this month, biggest stretch between thurso and lochinver, you should make it fine. Can't u take bottle of additive as backup?

[GetCarter]

Super is available in Ullapool.

[shed driver]

v8notbrave said:

Did it earlier this month, biggest stretch between thurso and lochinver, you should make it fine. Can't u take bottle of additive as backup?

I don't particularly want to be putting E10 in, even if I use an octane additive.

SD.

[Konan]

I've been looking at it with a need to 99RON.

Fairly sure I've come to the conclusion that it's gonna be some cans on the roof to make it round.

[Nigel_O]

My son and I did a fair chunk of the NC500 in early October. From our trip last year, we knew that super-unleaded wouldn't be available everywhere, so we took three cans of Wynn's octane booster.

We used eight tanks of fuel in six days. Three fill-ups (about 150 litres) were for 95 RON plus the octane booster.

My car will run on 95 RON, but it doesn't like high load. I imagine a P6 wouldn't take too kindly to having lots of E10 through its fuel lines, unless you've had everything converted. I rather doubt you'll be able to carry enough fuel in jerry cans to cover for the gaps in 99 RON availability

PS - I was getting about 20mpg, but I doubt a P6 (presumably the V8?) would get far into double figures on some of the NC500 roads

[sherman]

When I last did the NC500 we were needing petrol at Applecross.
When you check online for the nearest petrol station it was about 12 miles away from our location.
On Skye.
It was distance as the crow flies.

We ended up getting petrol in Kyle of Lochalsh. A 40 mile drive away which took about an hour.
It was about 13 miles away as the crow flies.

A large metal jerry can of E5 and you will be fine.

[BlueJazz]

The Inverness and Tain Tesco sell 99 ron momentum.

[Yahonza]

Was going to say Skye as well, off the route but worth a visit, as that has 2 stations with 97 RON, the Coop at Broadford and an independent.

[Mr Tidy]

I did the NC500 in 2023 and didn't have a problem finding E5 anywhere, although most places it was only 97 RON which sounds like it will be fine for you.

Wasn't so great for me as my car ideally likes at least 98 RON, but I put 99 in at every opportunity so a half tank of 97 would hopefully keep it at 98!