The 8H of Spa Motos, Round 2 of the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), is one of the toughest challenges in motorcycle endurance racing. Covering 1,300 kilometres and 60% full throttle, the race demands more than just speed; it requires stability, trust, and engineering that can endure relentless pressure.
In this exclusive feature, Champion Lubricants and the CHAMPION-MRP-TECMAS team, powered by BMW Motorrad Motorsport, reveal the story behind the custom racing oil developed for Spa-Francorchamps. A formulation built to protect the BMW M 1000 RR under extreme conditions, leading the team to victory.
Champion first began collaborating with the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team four years ago. Not only did we offer support as a sponsor, but as the Official Lubricant Partner – a technical role that includes lubricant development and innovation.
With far greater durations and distances than typical motorsport races, endurance racing creates a set of fundamental challenges for engineering teams and technical partners. There is a complex need to balance maximum power and efficiency with durability and reliability.
In a typical FIM Endurance World Championship race, riders are at full throttle 60% of the time and can cover immense distances – around 1,300km at the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps – over the course of an event. In such intense racing conditions, the machine and riders alike are expected to perform at their best. For the BMW M 1000 RR race bikes used by the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, these extreme conditions require exceptional lubrication.
To conquer the 8hours of Spa, the lubricant needed to meet both racing performance conditions and BMW’s strict technical considerations for the protection of internal components.
We sat down with Ivan Roekens (R&D Manager, Champion), Volker Clasen (Product Manager, Champion), and the CHAMPION-MRP-TECMAS team for an exclusive insight:
Ivan Roekens: “For this race, the BMW M 1000 RR had a very specific brief: endurance. They weren’t chasing power; they wanted reliability across the full 1,300 km. The focus was on keeping the engine safe under constant pressure, lap after lap. So, we built a formulation that prioritised stability over time, with advanced additives tailored to protect the clutch, bearings, and the latest engine hardware.”
Volker Clasen: “Spa-Francorchamps is one of the most demanding tracks in the world, and it’s also our strategic partner, making it the ultimate testing ground for our lubricants. What makes it so tough is the combination of long straights, elevation changes, and fast corners that push engines to their limits. Around 60 per cent of every lap is full throttle, which means there’s barely any recovery time for the oil. It has to remain stable under continuous stress, manage extreme temperatures, and protect critical components like the clutch and bearings, all while maintaining consistent performance from start to finish.”
Werner Daemen echoes that: “Spa-Francorchamps always brings big technical challenges because it’s a high-speed track where the engines are pushed at high rev (RPM (revolutions per minute) ) for a thousand kilometres. Reliability is very important; you have to run at the limit without crossing it.”
Ivan Roekens: “We ran extensive bench testing and deep chemical analysis to push the oil beyond standard limits. That included high-temperature stability, de-aeration under dynamic conditions, and compatibility with the latest BMW engine hardware. Based on those results, we created a next-generation formulation that could take everything Spa would throw at it and still protect the engine from start to finish.”
Volker Clasen: “Our targets were clear: excellent de-aeration to avoid foaming, oxidative stability to handle extreme temperatures, and long-term clutch and bearing protection. We also had to ensure full compatibility with the new generation of engine materials. Everything was validated in the lab and on the track. Post-analysis showed that performance remained stable over the full 1,300 km.”
Werner Daemen confirms: “The feedback from our technical team is very positive. We maintained peak performance over eight hours at race pace in Spa. The clutch, gearbox, bearings — everything performed perfectly.”
When asked what it takes to win, Werner Daemen sums it up: “The right mindset from both riders and the team. Success in endurance racing is built on teamwork, discipline, and focus over long hours. Strong collaboration with strong partners like BMW and Champion plays a critical role in our preparation and success.”
By translating extreme racing insights into road-ready applications, Champion ensures that everyday riders benefit from the same levels of endurance, protection, and reliability demanded on the track. Whether it’s the uncompromising performance of BMW’s M range or the long-distance resilience of the GS line, these next-generation lubricants are designed to meet the toughest OEM specifications while enhancing the riding experience for all.
Volker Clasen: “In the mid and long term, the experience with the Spa tested oil helps us to improve the next generation of the commercial product. Several tested parameters directly impact the next generation formulation in terms of viscosity and quality, helping to increase the performance of the product and the operational safety for steadily increasing engine and transmission requirements, as engine power output and driving performance are also increasing.”
At Spa-Francorchamps, Champion’s custom-built oil delivered exactly as designed: full clutch, engine, and bearing protection from start to finish. Validated in the lab, refined on the track, and proven over 1,300 km of relentless racing, the lubricant kept the BMW M 1000 RR performing at its best lap after lap. Proving to be a race-winning advantage born from trust, technical mastery, and deep OEM collaboration.
And as these learnings flow from the racetrack to the road, every rider benefits from products that have been formulated — and tested — to win.
