We'll just have to agree to disagree. A leaded racing fuel and an unleaded street fuel will effect tuning. Sure you can run both on the same tune up but how do you find the sweet spot on your intended fuel by using a band aid on the dyno? Alot can be learned from exhaust temperature, air/fuel ratio, and ultimately loss and gains in power making changes.
I do agree that using the higher octane fuel doesn't mean more power unless pump gas is insufficient. It's probably a safer bet to break in an engine for the less experienced. I specifically remember Pettis shutting mine down and leaning out the carb to reduce exhaust temperature at start up.
At the end of the day, we found max power on 91 octane with safe exhaust temps, safe air/fuel, and 34 degrees of timing. That was my intended application. Seemed to work out alright.
I'm no expert but I know enough to disagree with you.
