Valvoline VR1 Racing 20W-50 Motor Oil, 1 Quart (Pack of 12)

From the Manufacturer

Valvoline VR1 Racing Motor Oil – High Zinc Provides Race-Level Protection for Any Vehicle

Valvoline offers a line of racing motor oils that are designed for the serious racer. Race car engines are operated at high speeds for hours at a time. In order to get optimal performance from your engine, it is important to choose the right racing motor oil.

Racing oils are critical for creating a balance between preventing wear and engine failure while maintaining power and durability. Valvoline racing oils are optimized for track use and engineered to provide you with maximum horsepower while protecting engine parts in extreme racing conditions. Each racing oil product has been engineered with both power and durability in mind. Plus, they are specially formulated with zinc and phosphorus additives to create a protective film that reduces metal-to-metal contact and friction on engine parts.

More NASCAR Sprint Cup and top NHRA crew chiefs use Valvoline. Valvoline Racing Oil’s exclusive chemistry is designed to reduce friction and enhance power. It is among the most popular engine lubricants in all types of racing including paved and dirt ovals, and drag racing. It is formulated for race engines, but compatible with passenger vehicles too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Valvoline VR1 Racing Motor Oil

When did Valvoline start making motor oil specifically for racing?
Racers have been depending on Valvoline for more than 100 years. Valvoline formulated the first racing motor oil in 1965 and Valvoline VR-1 Racing Motor Oil is the best-selling motor oil of all time. It can also be used for today’s cars.

What are the benefits to using a racing oil versus a regular “street legal” oil?
The Valvoline VR1 Racing and “Not Street Legal” Racing Oils contain additional additives for increased horsepower and reduced friction on metal parts, provide extra wear protection for high compression/higher horsepower engines, and include less detergents than regular conventional motor oils.

What is zinc?
The anti-wear additive simply referred to as “zinc” by most car enthusiasts is actually short for Zinc DialkylDithiophosphates or ZDDP. Its primary role is to prevent metal-to-metal contact between engine parts by forming a protective film. Despite being referred to as “zinc,” this additive actually contains zinc and phosphorus, with phosphorus performing the anti-wear function.

Why have the zinc/phosphorus levels in motor oil changed?
With ever increasing limits on emissions, automobile manufacturers have tightened emission control systems on newer vehicles. This is one of several factors considered when the American Petroleum Institute (API) sets standards for motor oil. The current API standard is “SM” which replaced the previous “SL” classification. Because phosphorus can poison a vehicle’s emission system, the level of zinc is lower for current motor oil.

What is the controversy surrounding the amount of zinc in motor oil?
Many hands-on car enthusiasts and engine experts believe the lower levels of zinc in “SM” motor oil is causing excessive wear in older style push-rod and flat tappet engines. This is despite the fact that all new motor oil classifications are intended to be backward compatible. This has resulted in the widely accepted belief that modern motor oil is not adequate to protect older engines.

What solutions does Valvoline offer to the zinc issue?
Valvoline offers two solutions to the zinc issue:

1. Valvoline VR1: Contains 75% higher zinc than SM motor oil with a balanced additive package designed to work in both racing and street-legal applications. This product will protect older style push-rod and flat tappet engines. Valvoline provides this product in both multi and mono viscosity grades: 20w50, straight 50, 10w30, straight 30, straight 40, and straight 60.

2. Longer-Lasting Zinc/Phosphorus: Valvoline uses an advanced zinc/phosphorus additive that keeps higher levels of phosphorus in the motor oil where it protects the engine instead of poisoning the catalytic converter. Valvoline is the only brand offering this unique additive across its entire line of passenger car motor oils including SynPower — the only synthetic offering this additive.

Which oil has more zinc/ZDDP: VR1 or “Not Street Legal” oil?
Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil contains .13% of Zinc and .12% of Phosphorus compared to the Valvoline “Not Street Legal” Racing Oil which contains .14% of Zinc and .13% of Phosphorus.

Can I use an additive to boost the zinc level?
You can use an additive to increase the zinc level. However, check with your motor oil manufacturer to ensure the additive is compatible with your motor oil.

Is VR1 a conventional oil, a synthetic or a blend?
Valvoline VR1 is a conventional, non-synthetic racing oil.