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Martin drag racer mixes business with pleasure with innovation using E-85 'flex fuel'

MLIVE -- MARTIN – Eric Niefert has fond memories of the first car he ever owned while growing up in the Detroit area.

His 1972 Buick Centurion was great for hot-rodding the streets of Detroit, even if it didn’t impress the girls.

Two decades later, with a wife and two children, Niefert does a little bit of everything at US 131 Motorsports Park. When he’s not drag-racing a 1968 Camaro, he networks with the other drivers and spectators as part of his company, Horsepower Innovations. The company sells recalibrated carburetors built to run on E-85 “flex fuel,” an ethanol-based fuel that is less expensive than racing or standard gasoline.

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Submitted Jul 08, 2012 By: epf

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,643 Points:1,611,470 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 4:54:53 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse a little niche... not much more. But wasting lots of fuel.
jerej829 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,861 Points:695,540 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 10:08:33 PM Ignore jerej829 Report Abuse ok
Gmsclecarparts All-Star Author Oklahoma City Posts:707 Points:123,195 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 1:43:04 PM Ignore Gmsclecarparts Report Abuse The subject of the article sells converted Holley carburetors to run E85. His customers at the drag strip are mostly bracket racers running carbureted small blocks & big blocks who would otherwise be buying $8-12 a gal high octane RACEFUEL to run in their hobby cars. Using E85 for this purpose, actually works out fairly well, its probably the only justifiable use of this fuel. There can be a considerable investment upfront to make sure everything fuel system wise is compatible.
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,013 Points:600,660 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 10:29:19 AM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
OldMan322 Champion Author Illinois Posts:5,165 Points:1,596,690 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 7:12:31 AM Ignore OldMan322 Report Abuse Beware the price of 'ethanol' will be going up soon
merlinCO Champion Author Colorado Posts:1,650 Points:343,345 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 5:54:09 AM Ignore merlinCO Report Abuse Ethanol being killed by oil companies. Learn the facts of ethanol.
dr047 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,602 Points:519,395 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2012 3:10:18 AM Ignore dr047 Report Abuse Propaganda to promote this Garbage.
Amtrgas Champion Author Oakland Posts:2,678 Points:1,623,445 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 11:00:20 PM Ignore Amtrgas Report Abuse Ethanol is not the answer to the fuel problem.
danol43 Champion Author Modesto Posts:1,705 Points:590,940 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 10:42:48 PM Ignore danol43 Report Abuse Is ethanol really made from food-grade produce?
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:8,756 Points:1,978,600 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 10:21:58 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse Nice reading but lousy fuel idea.
JagXKR Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,169 Points:1,093,330 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 10:14:30 PM Ignore JagXKR Report Abuse Ethanol is evil.
yakstar Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,430 Points:481,595 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 10:10:14 PM Ignore yakstar Report Abuse so much love, yet so much information...
naiiawah Champion Author Boise Posts:2,400 Points:691,800 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 10:07:25 PM Ignore naiiawah Report Abuse Interesting
Ron77095 Champion Author Houston Posts:3,070 Points:604,625 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 10:03:15 PM Ignore Ron77095 Report Abuse What!?
bh1995 Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,215 Points:2,171,430 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 10:02:08 PM Ignore bh1995 Report Abuse E-85 is not a solution as the future fuel, natural gas is! [Edited by: bh1995 at 7/9/2012 1:03:24 AM EST]
lgwhitlock Champion Author Chico Posts:7,395 Points:1,687,445 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:58:54 PM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse Considering all the old cars still around this sounds like a smart business...
GigHarborHound Champion Author Tacoma Posts:2,547 Points:490,440 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:58:04 PM Ignore GigHarborHound Report Abuse Getting REAL GAS in the motorhome tomorrow as we head for the coast!!!
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:12,196 Points:2,351,130 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:57:23 PM Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse An engine will run just fine on E85 with proper adjustments. This has been known for a century - what's the big deal?
miser709 Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,268 Points:1,071,675 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:54:56 PM Ignore miser709 Report Abuse So
furiousfowl Champion Author Riverside Posts:16,865 Points:2,751,130 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:52:55 PM Ignore furiousfowl Report Abuse good luck
boatmen Champion Author New York Posts:3,085 Points:624,305 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:47:18 PM Ignore boatmen Report Abuse Sounds like he found a niche good luck
HA4CNN Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,634 Points:1,545,440 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:44:51 PM Ignore HA4CNN Report Abuse This is not about power it is about price.
hotrod_brother Champion Author Tampa Posts:12,606 Points:2,232,195 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:44:35 PM Ignore hotrod_brother Report Abuse He certainly did not shave any time off that run. He brought the front end way to high and had to lift.
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,348 Points:693,675 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:42:34 PM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse OK, So what is the point?????
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,181 Points:1,932,430 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:42:07 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Ethanol is dead fuel walking.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,931 Points:3,105,625 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:40:09 PM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse i want REAL gas...
abiyeye Rookie Author Connecticut Posts:27 Points:2,225 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:39:54 PM Ignore abiyeye Report Abuse there is air ballons too
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:557,730 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:39:12 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Hmm, sounds like advertising
Hoporrene Veteran Author Mississippi Posts:312 Points:206,970 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:38:03 PM Ignore Hoporrene Report Abuse .................................
Mariuxus Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,770 Points:1,873,015 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:36:30 PM Ignore Mariuxus Report Abuse ok...
Kawibiker Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,175 Points:205,575 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:32:20 PM Ignore Kawibiker Report Abuse I wish we had more real gasoline. Wish we had a choice.. We are being fed Ethanol whether we like it or not.. better or worse mileage, most all can get better mileage on regular no lead. vs Ethanol. glad I don't own an E85 vehicle..
umitb Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,681 Points:844,415 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:31:44 PM Ignore umitb Report Abuse ok
boatfloyd Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,728 Points:389,925 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:28:53 PM Ignore boatfloyd Report Abuse I still like real gasoline.
dancygreen Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,068 Points:487,335 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:27:20 PM Ignore dancygreen Report Abuse hmmm
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,229 Points:520,575 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:26:43 PM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse It's fine for racing. Not for the public.
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,664 Points:2,361,920 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:25:40 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse Ethanol was the first fuel Ford wanted to use, but standard oil convinced him to change. With the right parts it could work well, but not all from Corn as proven this year with the bad weather. We continue to search on for the best alternative to oil.
rollercoaster All-Star Author Hartford Posts:502 Points:567,660 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:24:28 PM Ignore rollercoaster Report Abuse good for him !!!!!!!!!!!
KrsnaDragon Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,417 Points:533,250 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:24:14 PM Ignore KrsnaDragon Report Abuse Nice wheel-stand!
rd2000 Champion Author Florida Posts:3,581 Points:688,945 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:23:45 PM Ignore rd2000 Report Abuse E85 is just bad and they can keep it.
TFowler513 Champion Author Memphis Posts:3,824 Points:1,415,610 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:23:30 PM Ignore TFowler513 Report Abuse Ethanol alone is not the answer.
cutter1330 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:8,045 Points:1,696,065 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:23:21 PM Ignore cutter1330 Report Abuse What's the MPG's?
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,089 Points:1,103,855 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:23:14 PM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse Ethanol is much harder on engines.
NanaNJNJ Veteran Author New Jersey Posts:280 Points:56,025 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:20:46 PM Ignore NanaNJNJ Report Abuse shhh
northeast2 Champion Author New York Posts:3,849 Points:1,007,200 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:20:15 PM Ignore northeast2 Report Abuse “My Centurion was the ugliest brown color you’d ever see, but it did have a 455 engine in it and it was fast by my standards back then,” Niefert said. “It was the last car that would ever attract the girls, but it was cheap and I wanted something to drive. From there I went into racing vehicles.” I had to look it up because I couldn't picture it. Same platform as the Chevy Caprice and Cadillac Eldorado (in the two-door convertible, anyway) it looks like.
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,308 Points:1,561,465 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:19:39 PM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse Alcohol is for drinking.....
METEOR49 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,182 Points:457,175 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:19:14 PM Ignore METEOR49 Report Abuse ethanol is just a bad idea getting worse.
ratboy1968 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,627 Points:550,975 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:17:38 PM Ignore ratboy1968 Report Abuse ok
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,965 Points:834,655 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:17:07 PM Ignore regout Report Abuse Let's corn for people.
crreed1 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,995 Points:2,528,285 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:15:57 PM Ignore crreed1 Report Abuse I eat corn too
bobdec Champion Author Miami Posts:8,974 Points:1,771,770 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2012 9:15:32 PM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse Must be on the take