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Manage the Burn for Maximum Return
Fuel Strategy for the Win
In endurance racing, whether in Assetto Corsa Competizione, iRacing, or the real world, fuel isn’t just what keeps the engine running, it’s what shapes your entire race strategy. A perfectly executed stint can be undone by a single miscalculation at the pumps, while a well‑timed refuel can open the door to an undercut, overcut, or a last‑lap push for victory.
Fuel management is about more than avoiding the embarrassment of running dry before the checkered flag. It’s about predicting consumption, planning pit stops, and balancing pace against efficiency. From calculating your burn rate to building in safety margins for changing conditions, mastering this skill gives you the confidence to push hard without second‑guessing your fuel gauge.
In this guide, we’ll break down the tools, calculations, and racecraft techniques that turn fuel strategy from a guess into a competitive advantage, so you can focus on driving, knowing your numbers are on your side.
Fuel Burn & Engine Mode
Fuel burn is the rate at which your car consumes fuel, usually measured in litres per lap. In Assetto Corsa Competizione, this figure is influenced not only by your driving style and track layout, but also by the engine map or engine mode you select.
How Engine Mode Affects Fuel Burn
Modern GT3 cars feature multiple engine maps that adjust throttle response, fuel injection, and sometimes ignition timing. These modes are designed to balance power output, fuel efficiency, and engine longevity.
High‑Power Modes
Deliver maximum performance for qualifying laps or overtakes
Increase fuel burn significantly
Best used in short bursts to avoid compromising stint length
Balanced / Race Modes
Offer a compromise between pace and efficiency
Suitable for most race conditions where outright speed and fuel saving must be balanced
Fuel‑Save Modes
Reduce power output and throttle aggressiveness.
Lower fuel burn, extending stint length or reducing the amount needed at the next stop.
Useful in endurance racing, during safety car periods, or when protecting tires.
Strategic Use
Extending a Stint: Dropping to a fuel‑save mode can add an extra lap or two before pitting, opening up undercut/overcut opportunities
Defending Position: Use higher power modes when you need to maintain track position, then revert to a balanced mode to conserve fuel
Reacting to Race Conditions: Wet weather, traffic, or safety cars are ideal times to switch to a more economical map without losing much lap time
Pro Tip
Monitor your live fuel/lap readout in the HUD when changing engine modes.
Even a small drop in burn rate, from 3.2 L/lap to 3.0 L/lap, can save over 6 L in a 30‑lap stint
This might mean a shorter final pit stop or avoiding one entirely
Going the Distance
Fuel management is one of the most critical factors in pit strategy. In short sprint races, it may be as simple as running from lights to flag without stopping. But in Assetto Corsa Competizione, any race over 70 minutes will almost certainly require at least one refuelling stop.
Planning your fuel strategy in advance not only ensures you won’t run dry, but also gives you the confidence to push hard to the chequered flag.
The simplest way to determine your starting fuel load is with the in‑game Fuel Calculator. Under the Fuel and Strategy tab, you’ll find an estimated fuel rate per lap, a safe, conservative figure for consumption. For greater accuracy, run a few practice laps. ACC will then display your real‑time fuel usage in the bottom‑right HUD, next to the pedal input and RPM gauges. This live figure reflects your driving style and track conditions, making it the best reference for fine‑tuning your plan.
Whatever method you use, add an extra one to two laps’ worth of fuel. This buffer covers faster leader pace, time lost to damage, or simply removes the need to constantly monitor fuel during the race. It also gives you strategic flexibility for an undercut or overcut.
Remember: more fuel means more weight, which can slightly increase consumption as the engine works harder, especially if you’re carrying series‑imposed ballast.
Ultimately, fuel rates can be the difference between winning and losing. Where possible, run a full‑stint test to compare your predicted usage against real‑world data. This will show whether you can safely reduce fuel for a weight advantage, or if you need to increase it to avoid running short. With that in mind, you can calculate the required fuel in two ways:
Set Time:
Formula: (Stint length ÷ Average lap time) × Fuel rate per lap = Fuel required
Example: Stint Length = 60 min, Avg Lap Time = 1m45s (1.75min), Fuel Rate/Lap = 3.2L
Calculation: (60 ÷ 1.75) × 3.2 = 34.29 × 3.2 = 109.7 L
Result: 110 L of fuel (plus safety margin)
Set Laps:
Formula: (Number of laps) × Fuel rate per lap = Fuel required
Example: Number of Laps = 40, Fuel Rate/Lap = 3.2L
Calculation: 40 × 3.2 = 128 L
Result: You’ll need 128 L of fuel (plus safety margin)
Always add 1–2 laps’ extra fuel as a safety margin
This will cover formation laps, in‑laps, or unexpected race extensions.
Pit Stop Strategy, Full Tank vs. Short Fill
One of the key decisions in race strategy is whether to start with a full tank or begin lighter and refuel later. Both approaches have advantages and drawbacks, and the right choice depends on race length, pit stop rules, and your overall plan.
Starting with a Full Tank
Pros:
Avoids an early pit stop, reducing the risk of losing track position in the opening stages
Minimizes the chance of being caught out by safety cars or unexpected race interruptions
Simplifies strategy, fewer variables to manage in the first stint
Cons:
Heavier car at the start means slower acceleration, longer braking distances, and higher tire wear
Higher initial fuel burn rate due to extra weight
May be less agile in traffic during the early laps
Best for:
Endurance races where pit lane time loss is high
Or when track position at the start is critical
Starting Light and Refuelling Later
Pros:
Lighter car is faster and more responsive in the opening stint
Lower initial tyre wear and potentially better early‑race pace
Can align pit stop with tire change for efficiency
Cons:
Requires at least one extra stop or a longer refuelling later in the race
Risk of losing time or positions during the pit window
Vulnerable to safety car timing disrupting your planned stop
Best for:
Races where outright pace early on can build a gap
Or where pit lane time loss is minimal and quick refuelling is possible
Strategic Considerations
Pit Lane Loss: If pit stops cost significant time, minimising them is usually better
Tyre Strategy: If tyres degrade quickly, you may be stopping anyway, making a short‑fill start more viable
Traffic & Track Position: A lighter start can help you clear slower cars early, but only if you can pit without losing too much ground
Weather & Safety Cars: Unpredictable conditions can favour the flexibility of a lighter start
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