IT IS OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY AND WHAT A LOT OF MEMORIES WE HAVE | SOME OF OUR DEVELOPMENTS FOR 2015 | CELEBRATING A DECADE OF FUELLING PERFORMANCE

Everyone here at Vital Equipment is very aware that we experience some amazing times while supplying the fuels for many championships across various motorsport disciplines on both 4 and 2 wheels. The years have flown by and now we find ourselves celebrating 10 years of Vital Equipment!

Naturally, this got us reminiscing on the high points for all of us, and we would like to share with you some of the best memories we have and hope you will join us in commemorating our 10th Anniversary.

But we have not rested on our laurels over the last decade and so we also want to introduce you to some new developments here at Vital Equipment.

Also, our thanks to JMS Photography, PSP Images, Jakob Ebrey, Andrew at Rallying Images and Chicane Media for their contributions.

vitalequipment.co.uk

Instagram | vital_equipment_ltd @vitalequip

Facebook.com/VitalEquipment

To start some of our most memorable moments and stories from the last 10 years.

Our COmmitment

Delivering a top quality racing fuel that enhances our customers performance, whether on track or rally, matters to us. We constantly keep tabs on what fuel and lubricant manufacturers are producing and here we talk about what we consider to be the best fuels.

PerfOrmanCe fuels

By listening to the needs of our customers we are able to continue to grow and develop what we offer to you, our customer. So, here we announce our 2015 products and services.

new fOr 2015

We are not ones to 'blow our own trumpet' although we are very proud of what we achieve with each championship and event. Being our 10th anniversary we have had quite a few people sharing their thoughts of us. Take a look and see what they say,

thank YOu

Introduction

We are 10 years old and realise that in that decade we have had some amazing experiences.! So, we thought we would share some of our most memorable moments from our first decade;

We are well known for, and proud, that Vital Equipment is very much a family run business. In the beginning one of the company founders, Alistair, who had previously worked for the Mitsubishi Rally Team saw an opportunity to start up his own business with his wife, Wendy, with the aim to sell corporate wear and kit specifically designed for pit crews, such as mechanic tool rolls. At the same time, Nicky Grist, as one of Alistair’s oldest rally friends was developing a range of products specifically for co-drivers, and had come up with the name Vital

Equipment to name the range. A few shared bottles of wine later, and Alistair agreed to produce and market the co-driver bag along with other various crew items, and before too long the name Vital Equipment was adopted by Alistair and Wendy, with Nicky’s blessing.

But how did Vital Equipment get to move from a product supplier to a premier fuel supplier in just one year? Well, at the time Vital Equipment was being set up, Alistair was working with a motorsport logistics company who had the

But hOw did Vital equiPment get tO mOVe frOm a

merChandising COmPanY tO a Premier fuel suPPlier in just

One Year?

contract for dispensing the fuel on behalf of Shell to the WRC. Half way through the season Alistair made the decision that Vital Equipment was doing well enough for him to leave and concentrate on developing his own business. Being the gregarious man that he is, Alistair soon heard on the grapevine that the FIA was putting the WRC fuel supply up for tender with a start the following season. So Alistair immediately contacted Petrochem Carless, having built up a great relationship with them and who he knew were the only company who refined fuel in this country; His aim - to see if they had submitted a tender and, if so, offering Vital Equipment up as the logistics company for the contract.

Carless informed Alistair that they had submitted a tender but were wanting to spend more time in building the infrastructure to deliver the fuel to motorsport seamlessly and so preferred to put in a more serious and competitive bid for the next FIA WRC tender. In the meantime they had just won the contract to be the suppliers to the BTCC and were keen to bring Vital Equipment onboard as the logistics company for the championship. So the first contract secured by Vital Equipment was for one of the most prestigious championships on the UK calendar. Before the year was over Vital Equipment had taken over all the motorsport operations in the UK for petrochem Carless.

Fuell ingPerformance

Since 2004

So we became the controlled fuel supplier for the 2005 BTCC season and this relationship has continued right through our 10 years. Quite an achievement and one we are very proud of.

By 2005 the Super 2000 regulations had settled with the teams, which allowed us to facilitate a smooth handover of fuel delivery. The 2004 champion, Jamie Thompson had left to take up the challenge of the WTCC, leaving Yvan Muller to lead the Vauxhall factory team with a young Colin Turkington joining him. Other names racing in 2005, still familiar to us today – Team Dynamics with Matt Neal as lead driver, Rob Collard and Tom Chilton. Do you also remember a certain Fiona Leggate who joined the BTCC this year?

Based on the success of the BTCC fuel delivery Vital Equipment and Carless won

the tender and took over the fuel supply to the British F3’s and GT’s. This saw our first delivery of fuel to different major disciplines and tracks over the same weekend as well as delivering to circuits around Europe, including Spa, Pau and Bucharest. Some of the drivers we bumped into during this time have gone on to be quite familiar names, notably Daniel Ricciardo, Markus Eriksson, Bruno Senna, Max Chilton, (can’t escape the Chilton boys!) Brendon Hartley and Mike Conway.

2005

2006

2006

2008

During 2008 we were also supplying fuel to the BTRDA, a championship we always thoroughly enjoy. That year there were 9 rounds, with the Humberside forest stages in March instead of the Trackrod Rally, which we now see on the calendar. Hugh Hunter was the Gold Star champion, winning by a margin of 1 point over Will Nicholls in what was another close fought battle for he title, similar to the one we have seen over the last couple of years. Frank Kelly took the Silver Star title by a comfortable margin over Jon Ballinger. All in all a good year for national rallying.

2005

2008 was a year when Vital Equipment was on a real roll, securing a

number of new contracts.. One, in particular, was when we worked with Eni, who won the tender to supply the fuel to the British Superbikes starting in 2009, with VE as the fuel delivery company. Through Eni we also delivered fuel for all the flyaways for the MotoGP. So ended up in places such as Qatar, Sepang and Shanghai, which gave us quite a few challenges as we were also all over the globe with the F3's and GT's. We are extremely proud of the fact that we never missed any delivery schedule for any championship abroad or at home.

This gave everyone at Vital Equipment the second

biggest highlight of the last decade. Petrochem Carless and Vital Equipment won the tender to be the official fuel supplier for the FIA WRC, and being rallyists through and through we were all just a bit delighted. Having worked with Carless to get the fuel contract for the WRC season and taking the fuel dispensing side from such a well-established company we had to make the transition to Carless as seamless as possible. With Rally Ireland being the first round of that season it was naturally quite stressful but we are proud of the fact that we feel we achieved our goal of making it a seamless transition over to us. Others

must have thought so too, as we have been providing the fuel ever since!

Making History

2008

2009

2009Vital Equipment Roll-Out a New 4-Stroke Fuel & McGuinness Sets the TT Lap Record

This was also the year that gave us probably the biggest highlight of the last 10 years. Over this year we presented Carless with the opportunity be more involved with the two wheel market and they produced a dedicated 4 stroke race fuel which we then took it

to market. The Honda UK factory road race team took it and trialed it that year. Their faith in our product and in us paid off as using the Hiperflo Moto 4T Race Fuel, John McGuinness set a new lap record at that year’s Isle of Man’s TT with a speed of 131.57 mph; and we were all there to cheer him on and celebrate in his success.

2010 In 2010 the Padgetts Honda team used our Hiperflo Moto 4T Racing fuel and that was the year their rider, Ian Hutchinson

went on to win the five solo races of the Senior TT race, the Supersport and then the Superstock TT race, the 6 lap Superbike TT race and the Joey Dunlop IOM TT Championship title was taken by Klaus Klaffenbock also won both the side car races that year using our fuel. By 2012 only the electric bikes were unable to choose our fuels.

We never get bored here at Vital Equipment, for despite meticulous

planning, the delivery of fuel around the world as well as here in UK, always gives us quite unique challenges. One of those was in 2010 and Rally Turkey, held over the 16th – 18th April. Remember what happened then? Eyjafjallajökull erupted in Iceland! That was while the team were in Turkey and it grounded all flights home for us. The fuel truck was fine as was going overland anyway, but Alistair and the crew were stuck!

After many hours with everyone trying to find a solution, the crew managed get on to a bus organised by Ken Rees, which took them from Istanbul to Vienna. They then managed to find a hotel, and began organising the next leg home. While there they met up and had a great evening with the actor, James Nesbitt, who was also stuck. Next morning Alistair and the crew managed to hire a car and drive to Munich, where they then hired another car and drove it to Calais, where Alistair and the crew then boarded the ferry to Dover as foot passengers. Then it was simple with the people back at base able to pick them up and drive them back here to Wales. One great adventure was had by all concerned - even if it gave the base crew stupidly high blood pressure for a few days!

2010

EyjafjallajökullEruption

2010

2009

Vital Equipment Roll-Out a New 4-Stroke Fuel & McGuinness Sets the TT Lap Record

Setting Records

EyjafjallajökullEruption

2011 - Rally Jordan was the 4th round of the WRC and our trucks were part of the WRC supplies being shipped to the Israeli

port of Haifa before driving to the Dead Sea. First of all the ship was delayed with mechanical issues, threatening set up for the whole rally, which should take 4 days and left teams, officials.......and us with the possibility of having to erect the service park and fuel supplies in one day! Having sorted the mechanical issues we thought we were back on track, but the ship was then delayed from docking due to a storm just outside Haifa, so the boat did not actually dock until the Wednesday morning, the day before the rally was due to begin!. Nerve wracking times!

During that time Syria was dealing with the start of the major political unrest that is still ongoing today. So when we began planning the route we decided to go through Isreal rather than through Syria. Fortunately Lee always takes everythng in his stride and the fuel was all ready for the crews in time for the Friday start, thanks to the organisers cancelling the Thursday stages to help all the teams, and so us as well!

It was a nervous time for all of us back at base. But so worthwhile, as that rally ended with the closest finish in WRC history with Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia pulling out all the stops on the last Power Stage to beat Jari Matti Latvala and Mikka Anttila overall by 0.2 seconds!

Rally Jordan 2011

2011

All of us at Vital Equipment have worked hard over the last decade to not only extend our range of quality products but to ensure our delivery to customers is always the very best we can possible achieve. We are proud of the fact we supply the fuel to club and national level rallying through the BTRDA, rounds of the MSA Asphalt and SRC as well as the WRC weekends all around the world. Our delivery to the track competitor, such as the BTCC crowd, is very different to the delivery to rallyists and we have enjoyed the contrast immensely, even when it gives us a logistical challenge!

All of us at Vital Equipment have worked hard over the last decade to not only extend our range of quality products but to ensure our delivery to customers is always the very best we can possible achieve. We are proud of the fact we supply the fuel to club and national level rallying through the BTRDA, rounds of the MSA Asphalt and SRC as well as the WRC weekends all around the world. Our delivery to the track competitor, such as the BTCC crowd, is very different to the delivery to rallyists and we have enjoyed the contrast immensely, even when it gives us a logistical challenge!

Over our 10 years our trucks have travelled well over 650,000 miles, our team has spent in excess of 20,000 hours in actual fuel delivery to all motorsport sectors, we have visited 23 countries around the world, crossed into a war zone, and well as some pretty dodgy ones, been delayed at border crossings with over officious guards far too many times and yet never failed in being there when fuel is needed!

Over 650,000 Miles | 20,000 Hours of Fuell ing | 23 countries

Over 650,000 Miles | 20,000 Hours of Fuell ing | 23 countries

Our Performance Fuels

And looking forwards we now offer VP Leaded Fuels for the classic and historic sectors, with the same innovative philosophy for optimum performance as comes from all of Vital Equipment’s fuels. With a massive pedigree in the States, VP Leaded fuels is already causing a lot of interest from both classic and historic racing teams as well as the championships that run these beautiful cars.

VP-110™Not your "standard" 110! Highest rated MON of any 110 fuel on the market. Formulated for use in naturally aspirated engines with CRs up to approximately 12:1-13:1. Good lower cost alternative. Spec fuel for DIRTcar Northeast.

TYPICAL VALUES•    Colour: Purple •    Motor Octane 107 •    Research Octane: 113 •    R+M/2: 110 •    Specific Gravity: .720-.735 at 

60° F

C12™The best all around racing fuel made. Recommended for CRs below 15:1, satisfying the needs of 75% of today's race engines. One of the best fuels in racing history, including Modified Tour, GNN, D.I.R.T., Indy Lights, NHRA, AMA as well as other local and national championships across the U.S. and around the world. Spec fuel for Atlantic Championship.

TYPICAL VALUES•    Colour: Green •    Motor Octane 108 •    Specific Gravity: .717 at 60° F

C16™Used in turbocharged engines, blown engines and nitrous applications with CRs up to 17:1. Very popular with racers in Formula D, D1GP and other drifting series, as well as Time Attack. Recommended by the top nitrous oxide companies.

TYPICAL VALUES•   Colour: Blue•   Motor Octane: 117•   Specific Gravity: .735 at 60° F

VP113™Offering substantial power gains at a competitive price, VP113 is oxygenated to street gas levels. Formulated for naturally aspirated engines with CRs up to approximately 14:1. VP113 makes up to 2% more power than competitive 110 octane fuels, with gains of 3-4% in engine applications with poor or marginal fuel vaporization qualities. Its oxygenation also yields a higher effective octane rating and greater protection against detonation. May require a tuning change, including increase in jet size, for optimum performance.

TYPICAL VALUES•    Colour: Green •    Motor Octane 109 •    Research Octane: 118 •    R+M/2: 113 •    Specific Gravity: .718 at 60° F

Leaded | Oxygenated Fuel

Leaded Fuels

VP leaded fuels

Our Performance Fuels Giving championships the best

fuel is so much more than rocking up with a fuel. Fuel performance has come a very long way in 10 years, The best fuel manufacturers now have to have a greater understanding of how the combustion process works at the optimum level for each of the manufacturer’s engines. So Vital Equipment is able to offer the very best in fuel to you, as we have for the last 10 years.

10 Years – a whole decade of delivering quality fuel to the top championships year on year! Now there aren’t many companies that can say that. So why has Vital Equipment been so popular and the supplier of choice for the likes of the BTCC for 10 years? Well, for a start, we have kept up with the advances in fuel technology, making sure the fuel we have is the very best fuel on the market. Carless Hiperflo MSA 4T fuel is one of those. Designed for all competitors who have to use the MSA Bluebook Regulation pump fuel, a 100 Octane fuel which not only gives superlative fuel delivery to your engines it actually enhances your performance. How can we say this? – Well, we recently tested it out with a team in the Ginetta Challenge and found that it gave a 10% increase in performance capabilities. Quite a significant difference and one that could make the difference between coming first or second!

Anyone wanting to know more about either the MSA 4T Racing fuel from Carless or VP Leaded fuels, please do get in touch with us and we will be happy to advise you.

Carless Hiperflo

Fuels

Where & WhenYou Need It

For 2015

We could easily have sat back for 10 years and let the business truck along, but that just isn’t us. We like to ensure you all get the latest and very best quality products and at the best price. So a lot of our time is taken up with research and testing of new products on your behalf to give you the best performance every time..

Being the fuel supplier to so many events around the country we have the ability to listen to the needs and requirements of motorsport competitors and found that there have been many times when a competitor was rushing round the service park looking to borrow an item they had forgotten. This gave us the idea for an event support shop, which we launched this year. In it we stock those last minute essentials for vehicles or the competitors themselves. Already it is becoming very popular and a vital stop gap for many of you. Now, based on what people are coming to us looking for we will be extending our stock for the 2015 season.

The Vital

Equipment Event

Support Shop

the VP fuel jugHaving delivered your fuel to you, you now need to get it into your vehicle and we have the solution – The VP Fuel Jug. Made with the highest quality virgin, high density polyethylene, including 30% more material than standard containers to withstand the toughest treatment the VP Fuel Jug has been subjected to a 15 point quality test and carries a 3 year limited warranty. The VP Fuel Jug features an ergonomically designed contoured handle, bottom grip for easy pouring and non-breakable multipurpose cap with rubber gaskets. You just cannot go wrong with the VP Fuel Jug.

frOm the V-wOrkshOPYou will find a variety of useful products for rallying, as well as your workshop and racing. From: DIY FIA Refuelling Kit, Male & Female Dry Break Couplings, Fuel Drum Keys, Environmental Spill Kits to Nightstick - Dual Light LED Headlamps.

lazer lamPsLazer Lamps utilise high powered LEDs, combined with a dual-optic reflector system which delivers a hybrid beam pattern combining long range with a broad beam pattern nearer to the vehicle.

Where & WhenYou Need It

For 2015

the VP fuel jugHaving delivered your fuel to you, you now need to get it into your vehicle and we have the solution – The VP Fuel Jug. Made with the highest quality virgin, high density polyethylene, including 30% more material than standard containers to withstand the toughest treatment the VP Fuel Jug has been subjected to a 15 point quality test and carries a 3 year limited warranty. The VP Fuel Jug features an ergonomically designed contoured handle, bottom grip for easy pouring and non-breakable multipurpose cap with rubber gaskets. You just cannot go wrong with the VP Fuel Jug.

thOse Vital ClOthes YOu maY needWe will also be carrying a range of clothes you might just need from balaclavas, fireproof underwear, gloves and team wear. Aimed at those who forget kit!

turn One helmets First of all there will be a range of essentials for the competitor from suppliers Turn One.TURN ONE offers a complete technical and quality base range of products that are exceptional value for all competitors. Among the range we will have Nicky Grist’s own Turn One crash helmet, which at a retail price under £200 +VAT means that competitors can have a Snell homologated lid with or without full electronics. Great for those who find thy have to replace their own due to being dropped or failing scrutineering.

the Pink VP fuel jugFor each pink container sold, a percentage of the proceeds will be donated by VP Racing Fuels to support the cancer prevention research, education and community outreach programs of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The Pink VP Fuel Jug is built to the same exacting standards as the standard VP Fuel Jug and holds the same 3 year warranty.Together we can beat cancer!

**NB: The VP Fuel Jug : Please always check correct intended use before using.

“Six years of racing in the BTCC and one thing I hardly notice is the supply of fuel. Shows how good you guys are! You are part of the winning combination I had in 2013 and I wish you a very happy 10th anniversary and many more years of us working together to come”

Andrew Jordan 2013 BTCC champion

“The British Trial and Rally Drivers Association [BTRDA] are very pleased to be able to offer their congratulations to Vital Equipment on the 10th anniversary of the Company. Vital Equipment have been Official Fuel Suppliers to the BTRDA Rally Championship since 2008 and their presence on events ensures that competitors have cost effective access to high quality fuels, compliant with MSA regulations and dispensed in a safe, secure and legal environment. We look forward to our association continuing for many years.”

Steve Greggs, BTRDA Rally Series Champ coordinator -

“Congratulations Alistair.

As a Company, you have grown and been successful because you know what Motorsport needs, a great service, safely delivered, at a price the competitor can afford. The market leader in fuel distribution for Motorsport. Best wishes for the next 10 years.”

Mike Broad. President of the BTRDA and member of the FIA Rally board

We Asked for your Feedback

The WRC season is long. Very long. We travel a lot, from Australia to Mexico, from Sweden to Sardinia. I could easily get lost in all those flights and travels, all those pacenotes books and time control cards. But I keep focused and concentrated, fighting corner after corner into fast, tricky, muddy and twisty stages!

Hopefully, in this bad environment, I can have, time to time, a warm contact with other humans. This always happens when I reach three or four times a day the refuelling areas.

Well, humans is maybe not the best word, when, for example, I suddenly see Mister Lee’ coming through my door, hiding the whole sun, and asking me …How are my boys today ? Pfffuuu…I thought he wanted to snatch my head off the first time!

Or when Phil’ that always sends me a good luck message before each event, runs to my car and asks me how the fight is going on.

So yes, I should not call them humans, but friends, because Mister Lee, Phil’ and the entire crew of Vital Equipment are doing their job perfectly, but also take care of us !!!

Thank you guys!

Julien Ingrassia

2013/2014 World Rally Champion co-driver.

Vital Equipment Office

T: 01981 241169 

E: info@vitalequipment.co.uk

W: vitalequipment.co.uk