"I would say one of the reasons (the relationship) works so well is because we're both approaching things from the same development perspective," says Cliff Salvesen, ExxonMobil U.S. Motorsports Technology Advisor. "We want to test everything. We don't just want to pass the minimum suite of tests."

That philosophy has led to a wide variety of race-proven Mobil 1 advanced synthetic products. Some are designed for project builds with others specially formulated for hardcore competition. Many of these vehicles are powered by Chevrolet Performance crate engines,* but how they are used is very different.

According to Salvesen, the amount of the anti-wear agent Zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) found in regular Mobil 1 blends is different from what is found in those labeled as Mobil 1 Racing.

While the zinc component is a good and efficient molecule to protect engines, it is linked with the molecule phosphorus, which has a detrimental effect on emissions systems. Street car formulations can draw from a number of antiwear molecule options besides just ZDDP, and ensure better emissions system performance over the life of the vehicle. 

Since racing engines are not subject to street car limitations, they can utilize a formulation that contains a higher level of ZDDP without concern.

Recently though, new blends like Mobil 1 Supercar 0W-40 and Supercar 5W-50 have been designed to allow high-performance vehicles like the eighth-generation Corvette go from track to street and back again on one oil.

"For any of the newer hardware we actually wanted to simplify it as much as possible," Salvesen says.

He explains that the quality of the base stocks, additive package and extensive testing as part of programs designed by both General Motors and ExxonMobil are among the elements that allow Supercar formulations to be used in a variety of ways.

"We were trying to put together an oil that would just crush all of those tests and well exceed the limits for those, "Salvesen says. "Then we tested Supercar on the track with the race teams to make sure that it's going to hold up to track abuse with higher cylinder temperatures, with higher revs, with higher loading and just the extra abuse that you're going to see on the track. It passed in both cases. 

"It's a great oil, and that was one of the cases where we were able to confidently recommend it for both street and track use."

Many Mobil 1 products are developed due to Salvesen and his colleagues' at-track work with teams competing in NASCAR, IMSA and more, where boundaries are constantly being pushed.

"I would say in broad strokes it helps us develop the next generation of Mobil 1," Salvesen says. "So, what you buy in the bottle today at your dealer or at the local store was probably tested on track three to five years ago. Certainly now what the race teams are testing is expected to be the next generation of Mobil 1.

"The big benefit to me that I see on the track and embedding with the motorsports program is you define the scopes of tests to be factory fill."

Salvesen has been with the company for eight years and in his current role since the beginning of 2020. Before then he worked in the engine test center.

In his time with the brand, he's found the amount and scale of testing that takes place for each Mobil 1 advanced synthetic blend is a major point of differentiation from other oil brands. But it's not just testing that's important, real-world experience also plays a major role in relating to both enthusiasts and racers.

"We don't just want to pass the test to get the checkmark, we do what's called ‘Proof of Performance,'" Salvesen says.

"I think that level of testing, that level of prove-out work is really what we can bring to the table versus most smaller brands."