Timeline
Over the course of our history, we have been involved in pioneering events and record-breaking achievements. Here is a snapshot of our involvement in such events, and some other milestones in our company history.
1899 - 1919
1899In March 1899, Charles 'Cheers' Wakefield founded CC Wakefield & Co Ltd, Later to become Castrol
The Wakefield Lubricator, patented in the 1890's for lubricating the axelbox of steam locomotives. It is still in use today.
1909
Wakefield Motor Oil 'Castrol Brand' registered. This was the first use of our famous red, white and green colours.
1919
Castrol 'R' was chosen by aviation pioneers' such as Alcock and Brown, who made the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic. It became "the finest aero-engine lubricant available".
1925 - 1930
1925Malcolm Campbell sets a new World Land Speed record at Pendine Sands in Wales.
Walter Handley became the first rider to win two Isle of Man TT races in one week.
1928
Le Mans 24 Hours won by Bentley. Drovers W. Barnato and B. Rubin. Average speed 69.1 mph.
1929
Charles Wakefield commissioned the solid gold Wakefield Trophy to be presented to holders of the World Land Speed record.
1930
Army Johnson became the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia.
1930
Our competition department supported teams with a mobile unit run by E.J. Anderson- he became known as " Castrol Andy".
1935 - 1970
1935New ' Patent Castrol" introduced with detergents to reduce carbon and sludge build in engines.
1951
Geoff Duke pictured at the Belgian GP wins the 500cc World Championship for Norton.
1953
The first semi-synthetic racing motor oil, Castrol R20, is developed in partnership with Mercedes Benz.
1967
The luxury liner Queen Elizabeth II is launched.
1968
Castrol GTX, the first multi grade oil with a 20W/50 viscosity rating, is launched- it is to become the most famous motor oil in the world.
1970
96 cars started the London to Mexico rally. 23 finished,16 of them lubricated by Castrol.
1978 - 1990
1978Bjorn Waldergard wins the Swedish Rally. In 1979 he won the first World Rally Drivers Championship.
1983
Nelson Piquet wins the Formula One Drivers' Championship in a Brabham BMW.
1983
American Freddie Spencer wins the 500cc World Title for Honda.
1983
Richard Noble raises the World Land Speed record to 633mph (1020 kmh) in Thrust II.
1990
Jaguar completes the double by winning the Le Mans 24 Hour race as well as the Daytona 24 Hour - A repeat of 1988.
1993 - 1999
1993Wayne Rainey wins his third 500cc World title on a Yamaha YZR500.
1994
The Toyota Castrol Team win both the Driver's title with Juha Kankkunen, and the Manufacturers' title.
1996
Guido Cappellini wins his fourth successive Formula One Powerboat World Championship.
1997
15th October, Black Rock Desert, Nevada USA. Thrust SSC smashes the World Land Speed record with 763.035mph (1227.983kph).
1997
Andy Green, driver of Thrust SSC. The first man to drive a car faster than the speed of sound.
Our return to Grand Prix racing is rewarded as Jacques Villeneuve wins the F1 Drivers' Championship and Williams takes the Constructors' Championship.
1999
We celebrate our Centenary and look forward to the next 100 years.
2000 - 2002
2000Colin Edwards wins the World Superbike Championship in the debut season of the new Honda VTR1000 SP-1.
2001
Guido Cappellini continues as the most successful F1 powerboat driver ever, winning his sixth title.
2002
Teams using Castrol technology win 5 World Championships, including a tenth consecutive title for drag racing legend John Force.
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