The need for race fuel all depends on compression ratio. I have a 11:1 and i run a 50/50 mix of vp110 and 93 pump gas. If your 13:1 or higher you pretty much need straight race gas to get the full potential out of your engine. With 10:1 or 11:1 you can run straight pump gas premium and be fine. I notice alot less ping with the 50/50 mix i run and it does run cooler. I never really cared for the smell. LoL my .02