Max Kruse Racing Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Targets Nürburgring 24-Hour Success

A Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport revival

Max Kruse Racing’s Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport claimed a notable class victory in last year’s Nürburgring 24-hour race. Yet the result may never have come about without Volkswagen test driver Benjamin ‘Benny’ Leuchter, the former front-wheel-drive Nürburgring lap-record holder.

In 2019, Benny was preparing to compete in the World Touring Car Cup. The car was prepared, testing indicated it was more than capable, and Benny was set too. Volkswagen then cancelled its TCR programme as it redirected its attention towards electrification, a decision that was difficult for him to accept.

“From the very first test we saw that it was crazy fast, we had a car that felt competitive, that we could possibly fight for the world title, and then it was taken away from me, through no fault of my own. It was very emotional for me,” he said.

Despite that disappointment, Benny continued as Volkswagen’s ambassador and development driver. When the manufacturer ended its motorsport activities, the car was transferred to Volkswagen Classic in 2021, where it remained unused and gathered dust.

“It was not nice to see it parked there,” said Benny. “So, beginning of last year, I said, ’50 years of Golf, we have to make a good celebration for the car, let’s do the 24-hour race’. It was a crazy idea, there were a few weeks of talks, I wasn’t getting an answer, I was always on the phone, 'hey, can we go, can we go', and all of sudden they say, 'take the car and go'.”

Preparing the Golf GTI Clubsport for endurance racing

Getting the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport onto the grid was not simply a matter of taking it out of storage. Around 60 per cent of its components are shared with the production Golf GTI Clubsport, but the car had been created for sprint racing. It therefore needed a complete overhaul for the demands of endurance competition, which Benny and his team completed in a remarkable two weeks.

“And then we came here, no testing, no practice, nothing, straight into qualifying, smashed the lap record for TCR cars on the Nordschleife. Put it on pole, win the race, up against much stronger cars like the BMW M4, Porsche 718 Cayman, Toyota Supra. It was very nice to see that machine being raced.”

Fog brought last year’s event to an early end after seven hours. Nevertheless, the car completed 44 laps, finished 43rd overall and, crucially, took victory in the ‘AT3’ alternative-fuel class.

Max Kruse Racing targets another Nürburgring 24-hour win

This year, the team intends to improve further. Its Golf GTI Clubsport will run in a bold new livery as it charges around the Green Hell, celebrating 50 years of the Golf GTI. Its race number, 76, represents the year in which the model was introduced to the market.

Max Kruse Racing will also enter a second, identical car to strengthen its prospects. Fabian Vettel, the younger brother of former F1 superstar and all-round good guy Seb, is among the drivers in that team. What, then, does Benny expect from this year’s race?

“The dream would be a double victory,” said Benny, “but it’s a very competitive class this year. So for me, the first goal is to finish the race, and then we’ll see where we are. But of course, as a racing driver, you would like to fight for victory.”