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Shell - History of Racing
Shell fuels and oils have been powering and protecting some of the top vehicles in motorsports since the early days of racing. From the 1920’s through the 2000’s, and into the future, the top racing series have all been touched by Shell.
1920's
Shell begins its involvement in motorsports by partnering with some of the earliest teams. Over the next eight decades, teams sponsored by Shell and using Shell fuels and oils win many races and series championships.
1930's
Shell begins a long relationship with Enzo Ferrari (Formula One started in 1950). When Enzo Ferrari started his career as a racing driver, Shell was one of the team’s technical partners (along with Pirelli, Bosch and Champion).
1950’s to 1970’s
Unique blends of fuel created by Shell scientists and engineers have been powering Ferrari’s F1 cars from the very beginning. Shell works with Ferrari’s Formula One program from 1950-1973, helping to build Ferrari into one of the top team’s in the sport.
1992
Shell entered both U.S. open-wheel and stock car racing. An associate sponsorship with CART’s Team Rahal, marked the company’s entry into U.S. open-wheel racing, while a partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing brought Shell into NASCAR.
Shell appeared on the Rahal cars for the first time in 1993 and became a primary sponsor for the first time in 1995. Shell and Team Rahal found themselves in the Winner’s Circle multiple times, including winning back-to-back races at Laguna Seca Raceway in 1998 and 1999 with Bryan Herta behind the wheel.
Shell started as an associate sponsor with Gibbs Cup Series program as well, later becoming a primary sponsor with the Busch Series program. Shell won its first NASCAR race as a primary sponsor when Bobby Labonte took the checkered flag at the Busch Series Opryland 320 in 1996.
1995
Shell became one of the first sponsors of the newly formed Joe Gibbs Racing-NHRA Division, expanding the already successful partnership that had formed in NASCAR. Gibbs was starting from scratch in NHRA, but the team used specially-formulated Shell engine oil and experienced personnel to finish the team’s first season with a second place finish in the Top Fuel Dragster points and a third place finish in the Funny Car points.
1996
Shell rejoins Team Ferrari in Formula 1, a relationship that remains strong today. Over the years, Ferrari and Shell have won more than 130 races together. From 1999 until 2004, Shell powered Ferrari’s Formula One team to six consecutive FIA Constructors’ Championships. Throughout the course of Ferrari’s racing history, more than 71% of the team’s victories have been with Shell.
1999
Shell has a unique partnership with Ducati Corse to produce tailor-made Shell Advance Motorcycle lubricants and Shell V-Power fuel to suit the exact needs of the Italian Desmodronic engines.
In 1999 Shell joined forces with Ducati Corse to develop tailor made products for the Ducati World Superbike team. In 2003, the partners began competing together with the aim of developing the best bike in the MotoGP World Championship.
Since then, Shell Advance lubricants and Shell V-Power fuel have each liberated 1.2% gains in horsepower - an impressive total of 2.4%. Shell V-Power racing fuel has also contributed to a remarkable 5% reduction in specific fuel consumption. The partnership has recently been extended until at least 2008.
2001
Shell had its best Champ car season as Kenny Brack wins four races and ends the season in second place in the point standings. One year later, Rahal and Shell competed in their final season as partners. Jimmy Vasser piloted the car to a victory at Fontana that year, in Shell’s second-to-last race.
2005
Shell blended 40 tons of Formula One engine and gearbox lubricant for Ferrari. That’s equivalent to the weight of 27 small road cars. During a single weekend, Shell engineers analyze Ferarri’s fuel and oil more than 40 times at the racetrack.
2006
Shell and Audi Sport made a major breakthrough in the Le Mans Series in June. Shell V-Power Diesel with GTL racing fuel powered Audi Sport to victory in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race, the first time ever that a diesel-powered fuel has won the endurance race.
This was just 3 months after the Audi R10 became the first diesel-powered vehicle to win the 12 Hours of Le Mans in Sebring, Fla., using the same Shell V-Power Diesel racing fuel.
Four months after the historic win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Shell announced its return to NASCAR, as a primary sponsor on the No. 29 Richard Childress Racing car, driven by Kevin Harvick in the NEXTEL Cup Series.