Continuing a motorsports alliance showcasing the performance benefits of world-class synthetic motor oil technology, ExxonMobil and Corvette Racing have extended their partnership in which ExxonMobil provides its Mobil 1 lubricant technology and engineering support to the Corvette Racing team.
Formally announced before the debut of the 2010 American LeMans Series (ALMS) season at the 58th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the renewed collaboration will mark the 14th consecutive year in which the Mobil 1 brand has been a major associate sponsor for Corvette Racing and the “Official Lubricant of Corvette Racing.” In this multi-year agreement, Mobil 1 branding will continue to appear on Corvette Racing’s C6.R cars, uniforms and vehicles.
“Partnering with such a globally respected racing team gives us an excellent platform to fully demonstrate the technological benefits of our products,” said David Tsurusaki, strategic global alliance manager, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties. “This agreement with Corvette Racing, along with the 17 straight years of Mobil 1 being the Corvette factory fill motor oil, underscores the engine performance and protection that Mobil 1 technology delivers on the track and on the road. ExxonMobil engineers work closely with Pratt & Miller and Corvette Racing to develop and test new technologies to optimize power-train performance, improve fuel economy benefits and increase horsepower output without sacrificing engine durability. This collaboration has advanced Mobil 1 motor oils, gear oils and greases that have and may be used in future Corvette and GM vehicles.”
The relationship with Mobil 1 has helped Corvette drive to the winner’s circle on the international race circuit again and again. At the conclusion of the Corvette team's participation in the GT1 category in June 2009, Corvette Racing had won 77 races, eight consecutive American Le Mans Series GT1 manufacturers and team championships, and seven straight drivers championships. Last year, Corvette Racing scored three victories in the American Le Mans Series Michelin GREEN X Challenge based on energy used, greenhouse gases emitted and petroleum fuels displaced. Lastly, Corvette Racing has enjoyed international success in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's biggest sports car race, with six class victories since 2001, the latest in 2009.
"As America's premier production sports car racing team, Corvette Racing is excited to continue to partner with such a well known and esteemed racing technology like Mobil 1 motor oil, particularly with 2010 being such a huge year for Corvette Racing as we fully transition to a single GT class in ALMS,” said Doug Fehan, program manager, Corvette Racing. “With its signature high performance engine, our C6.R Corvettes, which are based on the production Corvette ZR1, require a lubricant that can withstand extremely high operating temperatures and provide engine durability. For more than a decade, Mobil 1 technology advisors have helped ensure that Corvette Racing’s engines are operating at peak performance, helping us win races year after year.”
At Sebring, Corvette Racing will take the green flag at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, competing in the American LeMans Series GT2 class against entries representing Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Jaguar, and Ford. Corvette Racing drivers Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen, and Antonio Garcia will drive the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R. Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, and Emmanuel Collard will drive the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R.
A Long History of Performance: Mobil 1 in Motorsports
Mobil 1, the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand, has long been the lubricant of choice for race teams competing in the most demanding and popular motorsports series across the globe.
Mobil 1’s history in motorsports officially began in 1978 with a sponsorship of the Williams Formula One Racing Team. From that time, Mobil 1's presence on race tracks and circuits has grown by grand proportions. Today, Mobil 1 synthetic oil is relied on for its ability to deliver exceptional engine performance and protection even under some of the most extreme conditions by automotive technicians, race car drivers, team owners and the world’s leading automotive manufacturers. Currently, more than half of all NASCAR teams rely on Mobil 1 technology.
Along with its status as the Official Motor Oil of NASCAR, Mobil 1 enjoys a long association with many of world's most popular and successful race teams, including Vodafone McLaren Mercedes’ Formula One team, Corvette Racing’s American LeMans Series team, the official AMG-Mercedes factory teams in the European-based DTM championship, Alex Job Racing Le Mans GT2 team, Penske Racing's NASCAR and IndyCar Series teams, as well as the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – the world’s fastest international one-make series.