FuelTech
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive electronics • Motorsport technology |
| Founded | April 23, 2003 |
| Founder | Anderson Frederico Dick |
| Headquarters | Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul , Brazil |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Anderson Dick (Global CEO) Leonardo Prianti Fontolan (CEO Brazil) Luis de Leon (COO) |
| Products | Engine-management systems (ECUs), ignition modules, software |
Number of employees | ~200 (2023)[1] |
| Website | fueltech |
FuelTech is a Brazilian manufacturer of high-performance engine-management and motorsport-electronics systems. Headquartered in Porto Alegre, the company ignition modules and software for drag-racing.[2]
It was founded in 2003 by electrical engineer Anderson Frederico Dick.[2] After dominating the Brazilian performance market in the 2000s, the firm expanded abroad, establishing FuelTech USA in Georgia and building a dealer network on six continents.[3] Its PowerFT line (e.g., FT500, FT600) and next-generation VisionFT line (FT700 family) power numerous championship-winning drag cars and, since 2025, the entire Stock Car Pro Series grid.[4]
History
[edit]Founding and early years (1999–2006)
[edit]FuelTech traces its roots to 1999, when Dick—then an engineering student at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul—built a turbo-fuel controller nicknamed TurboPro.[5] Working from an 8 m² dorm room, he hand-assembled TurboPRO-1F units that managed only fuel injection.[5] FuelTech was registered on 23 April 2003.[2]
By 2007 the firm held an estimated 70 % share of South America’s high-performance ECU market and employed about 25 staff.[6]
Expansion to international markets (2007–2014)
[edit]Dick began visiting U.S. drag-racing events in 2007.[2] Satellite offices (2009–2011) produced few sales as racers doubted the all-in-one design.[7]
A 2012 meeting with Pro Line Racing led to joint development of the FT500 (launched 2014) and the opening of FuelTech USA in Ball Ground, Georgia.[8]
Product evolution (2015–2020)
[edit]- FT600 (2016) — waterproof 68-pin ECU, higher I/O and processing.[9]
- FT550 / FT450 — mid-range models completing the PowerFT family.
PowerFT units share the FTManager Windows suite and an on-unit touchscreen that integrates data-logger, dash, boost and traction control.[10] By 2020 FuelTech had dealers in 20+ countries, growth achieved without outside investors.[3]
Recent developments (2021–2025)
[edit]- April 2024 floods submerged the facility; operations resumed after a global relief drive.[11]
- May 2025 — FT700 Plus becomes the spec VCU for Stock Car Pro Series.[4]
Products and technology
[edit]Engine-management line
[edit]| Generation / family | Model(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TurboPRO-1F | TurboPRO-1F | Fuel-only controller (c. 2000 – 2003)[12] |
| VisionFT | FT700 · FT700 Plus | Wi-Fi, 12.3-inch display (Plus), new Vision software (2023 – ) [13] |
Ignition & spark energy
[edit]- IGN1A Smart Coil (Motorsport-style coil-on-plug)[14]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "FuelTech Fact Sheet". FuelTech.net. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d Jacobs, Ainsley (15 May 2018). "Master of Disruption: FuelTech's Anderson Dick is Fueling the Future". Drag Illustrated.
- ^ a b "Meet Anderson Dick of FuelTech". VoyageATL. 3 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Novo carro da Stock Car estreia com central eletrônica FuelTech". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 4 May 2025.
- ^ a b "FuelTech, 18 anos: curiosidades e bastidores da nossa história!". FuelTech Brasil (in Portuguese). 29 April 2021.
- ^ "Mercado de injeção programável no Brasil". AutoData (in Portuguese). 12 June 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "PRI Show recap". Race Pages. 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "FuelTech USA Opens Doors" (Press release). FuelTech. 5 March 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "FT600 Product Sheet".[permanent dead link]
- ^ PowerFT Architecture White-paper (Report).[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Empresa gaúcha se recupera de enchente histórica" (in Portuguese). 20 May 2024.
- ^ "FuelTech Unveils State-of-the-Art Headquarters – A Milestone in Innovation and Expansion". FuelTech.net. 12 Jan 2024. Retrieved 8 Jun 2025.
- ^ "FT700 ECU System". FuelTech.net. Retrieved 8 Jun 2025.
- ^ "Ignition Systems, Coils & Wiring". FuelTech.net. Retrieved 8 Jun 2025.