High energy at Green Hell – Clarios and VARTA at the Nürburgring 24h

To conquer the ultimate endurance test at the legendary Nürburgring in Germany, Clarios and its VARTA brand supported Max Kruse Racing on the world’s most challenging track. Powering the race cars through brutal racing conditions, VARTA batteries delivered absolute reliability. With an electric atmosphere fueled by more than 350,000 passionate spectators and intense competition across the grid, Clarios combined raw motorsport passion with benchmark engineering, ensuring that when endurance demanded everything, the power under the hood never faltered.

Surviving Green Hell: 24h at the notorious Nürburgring

At the intersection of pure motorsport adrenaline and grueling endurance, a legendary battle takes place every year in Germany’s Eifel region at the infamous “Green Hell.” Originally dubbed by Sir Jackie Stewart due to its treacherous, roller-coaster topography winding blindly through dense, unforgiving forests, the Nürburgring 24h isn’t just a race, it transforms the entire region into a high-octane sanctuary.

Over 350,000 spectators pack the campsites along the arduous 25-kilometer circuit, creating an atmosphere unlike any other on earth. This year, the vibe reached another level, amplified by a massive Dutch fan presence as Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen entered the grid in a Mercedes-AMG GT3.

But the true essence of this event lies in its unyielding format: a literal 24-hour marathon that completely ignores the setting sun. As day bleeds into a pitch-black, fog-shrouded Eifel night, the race enters its most punishing phase. With zero track lighting, drivers must rely entirely on their high-beams and absolute mental focus, while vehicles endure extreme vibrational forces, shifting temperatures, and non-stop electrical strain.

Powering through the Chaos: The VARTA Advantage

For Clarios and its VARTA brand, being part of the race at “Green Hell” wasn’t only about witnessing fierce competition between major automotive manufacturers - it was about stepping directly into the arena as a key technical partner. Clarios demonstrated that its low-voltage technology is built for the world’s toughest motorsport environments. More than just powering race cars, VARTA reinforced its reputation for endurance, reliability, and performance when the pressure is at its absolute peak. When the margins for error vanish in the dead of night, critical onboard systems, telemetry, and safety lighting cannot afford a single voltage drop.

To survive this test for man and machine, the intense vibrations, dramatic temperature swings between day and night, and relentless electrical demands of a 24-hour endurance race, every component under the hood must perform flawlessly.

The MKR Volkswagen fleet relied entirely on VARTA low-voltage batteries to power critical onboard electronics, telemetry systems, and communication equipment. From the opening practice sessions to high-pressure qualifying laps and the brutal around-the-clock race itself, the batteries delivered consistent and dependable performance.

This ultimate test of stamina is precisely where Clarios steps into the spotlight, powering performance and possibility with advanced energy storage solutions that are essential for surviving one of the toughest races on earth, and proving the endless potential behind every Clarios product.

Double Duty on the Limit

Clarios supported the Max Kruse Racing (MKR) team and its formidable lineup of three VW Golf GTI Clubsport 24h race cars with VARTA batteries. And when power was needed, not only did the batteries deliver, but so did the drivers.

MKR team leader and professional race driver Benny Leuchter took on one of the toughest challenges in modern motorsport by pulling double duty throughout the event. He split his time between the #50 VW Golf GTI Clubsport 24h and the #75 Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II competing in the elite GT3 category.

Navigating two completely different race cars across the treacherous 25-kilometer circuit demanded flawless precision, endurance, and total confidence in the machinery. It became one of the standout performances of the weekend and highlighted the relentless spirit of endurance racing at the Nürburgring.

Ready to experience the adrenaline firsthand? Watch our exclusive aftermovie for the full recap of this unforgettable racing weekend.