April 13, 2026 Blogs

Alpine Adrenaline — The EMEA Edition

In the Alpine heart of Zell am See, Clarios celebrated automotive heritage and future innovation. As a main sponsor, we powered the legendary F.A.T. Ice Race, uniting enthusiasts for a high-energy weekend of drift, drama, and sub-zero adrenaline.
BMW Ice race

The Austrian Alps provided a cinematic backdrop for the F.A.T. Ice Race in Zell am See, where the air was crisp as helicopters and vintage planes ripped through the sky to set the scene and the competition was fierce. For Clarios, this wasn’t just a sponsorship, it was a proving ground as a lineup rolled onto the ice that defied traditional categories. Most notably was the BMW M2 Drift Competition, making its highly anticipated public debut on ice. Watching a high-torque drift machine find its footing on a slippery circuit is a masterclass in precision, and it all starts with a reliable spark. In the piercing cold of the Zell am See airport, where temperatures plummet overnight, every initial "cold start" was the first victory of the day.

 

airplane flyover ice raceford raptor racing in snow
OPTIMA art car on skis

 

The M2 wasn’t alone in our paddock. We complemented German engineering with the sheer American muscle of a Ford F-150 Raptor R and a cult-classic E46 M3 uniquely modified on skis and in slick boots, for the ultimate skijoring experience. All vehicles represent a massive range of electrical demands, from the high-performance fuel pumps of the Raptor to the custom electronics of the M2. Yet, they all shared one commonality: they relied on OPTIMA batteries to survive the cold soak of the Alpine winter. In an environment where standard batteries can lose up to 50% of their cranking power, our batteries provided the instantaneous energy needed to keep the show running.

 

car pulling skier around track

 

The EMEA edition is deeply rooted in history, reviving the legendary 1952 Professor Ferdinand Porsche Memorial Race, as we took the origin as inspiration and motor to focus our presence on the future. Especially since Clarios as a main sponsor stands for the future of racing and the fun in it. That fun was evident in more than one memorable moment of the weekend. From pulling athletes on to ice spraying into the crowds and engines bouncing off the rev limiters, the reliability of the electrical system was paramount. Clarios batteries, engineered with their unique and better vibration resistance compared to traditional batteries, quickly became a critical feature when bouncing a BMW M2 off ice ruts at high speeds. And whether it is a modern drift weapon or a vintage classic, Clarios ensures it has the dependable power to perform when the world is watching.