Picture the spinning, rocking, whirling parts inside an engine. Now spin those same pieces to hundreds of thousands of revolutions per hour in a competition environment. And let’s do it for a few hours at a time with little to no mechanical empathy. No rest, no recovery, no thank-you from the podium.
What makes racing oils so special, and when do I need them?
A properly formulated racing oil is designed specifically to deliver the benefits racing engines need, such as improved extreme-heat resistance, maximum friction reduction for optimum power, and increased film strength to protect bearings in powerful, high-torque engines.
Passenger car motor oils, on the other hand, are designed with fuel economy and longer oil life in mind–benefits racing vehicles don’t need since the oil is changed frequently. Use an oil designed specifically for racing in competition vehicles.
–Len Groom, technical product manager, Amsoil
Think of shoes. The type of shoes that Usain Bolt wears is very different than the type of shoes a Paris runway model wears. Both are shoes, but they are each designed and manufactured for specific purposes.
–Lake Speed Jr., certified lubrication specialist, Driven Racing Oil
How often should the oil be changed in a race car?
The answer depends on so many factors, including what you mean by “race.” Is it a quarter-mile drag competition, a dirt-track rally, a 500-mile oval run, or a few laps around cones in a parking lot?
In general, any type of racing stresses oil more than daily commuting does. That’s especially true where exotic fuels are employed and cars are significantly overfueled (which leads to fuel dilution in the oil). This is the reason nitro-fueled NHRA dragsters get an oil change every time the engine is turned on.
Most other professional race teams change the oil after each race–except where prohibited by rules. Amateur racers typically change oil based on prior experience at the specific circuit.
–Valvoline Technology Team and compiled by Josh Frederick, OEM technical manager
As an oil technician, I would be inclined to maintain a more frequent, carefully selected drain interval in any racing application. I often ask, “What is more important to an end user: extending the oil…
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