THE SENSATIONAL 70'S
1970
MV Augusta was continuing to enjoy racing success with its star rider, Giacomo Agostini becoming the most successful rider in World Championship history. In total, Agostini won 15 World Championships, 7 of them in the 500cc class on a three-cylinder four-stroke MV Augusta.
1974
Agostini sensationally switched from MV Agusta to Yamaha. The Yamaha team asked Castrol to develop a synthetic oil that would beat Castrol R by lubricating the engine more effectively, adding power and helping to combat engine detonation. Castrol A747 was the result, an oil still considered the best over 30 years later.
1979
After an absence of 10 years Honda re-entered the World Championships and Castrol was involved in the development of one of the most influential race bikes of modern times; Honda’s amazing oval pistoned eight valve per cylinder NR500. At Honda’s request Castrol produced a specialised racing lubricant for the 22,000 rpm engine. The machine was influential in educating Honda’s engineers and paved the way for a series of innovative Honda racing bikes.
