Tested on Track: How Endurance Racing Pushes the Limits of Lubricant Science

Pushing the Limits of Lubricant Science  

When it comes to lubricants, endurance racing is one of the harshest environments imaginable. Constant extreme performance across 8, 12, or 24 hours of continuous racing with no room for error and expectations of victory.   

1. Tribology in Endurance Racing: Tribology is the science of friction, wear, and lubrication. In racing, it directly impacts engine efficiency and reliability. Lubricants are the core of tribology in racing, acting as a barrier between moving parts to reduce friction and wear. High-performance lubricants are specifically formulated for the demanding conditions of endurance racing, including high temperatures, high speeds, and intense stress.  
   
2. Key Functions of Lubricants in Endurance Racing:  
   
   1. Reducing friction: Lubricants minimise energy loss due to friction, allowing the engine to operate more efficiently and deliver more power to the wheels.  
   2. Preventing wear: Lubricants create a film between moving parts, preventing metal-on-metal contact and reducing wear and tear, crucial for maintaining engine integrity throughout a long race.  
   3. Managing heat: Lubricants help dissipate heat generated by friction, preventing overheating and potential engine damage.  
   4. Providing a barrier: Lubricants prevent the ingress of contaminants that can accelerate wear and damage the engine. 
      
3. Types of Lubricants Used: 
   
   1. Engine & Gear Oils: In racing cars, engine oils are formulated to withstand high temperatures and pressures to protect the motor’s internal components, while gear oils are designed for the transmission and drivetrain, ensuring smooth gear changes and preventing wear. Motorbikes, however, are different: the engine and gearbox typically share the same lubricant. This means motorcycle oils must combine both sets of functions in one formulation—delivering engine protection, gearbox durability, and clutch performance simultaneously. This dual requirement makes them especially complex to develop, particularly in the demanding conditions of endurance racing. 
   2. Greases: Used for lubricating bearings and other moving parts, greases provide a longer-lasting lubricant compared to oils. 
   3. Specialised additives: These additives enhance the lubricant's performance, providing extra protection against wear, heat, and oxidation 

Tested on Track: CHAMPION-MRP-TECMAS BMW 

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 included 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. It’s not just about racing to win; it’s about survival and crossing the finish line.  

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 an exceptional bespoke lubricant. 

A Custom Lubricant, Formulated for Victory at Spa-Francorchamps 

In anticipation of the 2025 8H of Spa Motos race, Champion and the BMW team worked together to develop a custom lubricant. Developing an engine oil that would offer both the performance and protection required was no simple task. Not only did it need to meet racing performance conditions, but also BMW’s strict technical considerations for the protection of internal components. This included: 

• Engine: Prioritising stability and engine protection. It needed to keep the engine safe under constant pressure, lap after lap. 
• Bearings: It needed to provide extended bearing protection, especially under sustained full-throttle, high-temperature conditions. 
• Clutch & gearbox: To survive an endurance race, the oil needed to provide enhanced and long-lasting clutch performance and robust gear protection under continuous high loads. 
• Properties: The engine oil needed excellent de-aeration (minimising air bubbles) and chemical compatibility with internal hardware. It also needed to have exceptional oxidative stability in a high-temperature and high-pressure performance engine. 
   

Ivan Roekens, R&D Manager at Champion, said: “Our testing process to develop engine oil for the BMW M 1000 RR was rigorous. It included chemical, physical, and component laboratory analytics as well as real-world trials. The programme culminated in the 8 Hours of Spa Motos, where the new oil performed flawlessly and powered a dominant win for the CHAMPION-MRP-TECMAS team, powered by BMW Motorrad Motorsport, – truly a proud moment in our close collaboration.” 

From Racetrack to the Road 

Technologies developed in the heat of racing competition can open doors beyond the racetrack. Champion continues to work closely with BMW, which is now exploring the use of bespoke high-performance lubricant formulations for production motorcycles, including the popular BMW M models and the BMW GS product line. For BMW GS, Champion is developing two viscosity grades, each suitable for the specific requirements of adventure motorcycles.  

Through this partnership, Champion continues to provide lubricant R&D support for BMW Motorrad Motorsport, including tailored oils for racing programmes and novel solutions for production models. It is a collaboration that is breaking new ground in the motorcycle lubricant sector and unlocking performance for riders.  

Discover the Champion Pro Racing Line, recommended by the CHAMPION-MRP-TECMAS team.