Freezing Their Nuts Off!

It’s freezing out there. The track is sheet ice! Perfect conditions then for the drivers competing for the Trophée Andros, a series of motor races which take place each December and January in some of Frances chillier locations. Rallying doesn’t get more extreme than this!

The races take place on specially created floodlit ice circuits and attract drivers from all types of driving disciplines. The symbiosis of highly skilled driver, nerveless navigation and finely tuned machine over some of the most testing of tracks provides a highly entertaining spectacle as the drivers push their machines to the limit. Unsurprisingly, this unique event brings out the crowds in large numbers despite the often sub-zero temperatures, who contribute to the uniquely Gallic atmosphere with strong vocal support for their favourite drivers. Spectators are warmed not only by the spectacular racing but by plenty of vin chaud and hot food. Even so you would be wise to equip yourself with a sizeable hip flask and some good silk underwear before venturing to the track.

King of the constructors is Toyota which with its Auris and Corolla cars has secured 16 victories out of 27 races since its debut in the 2006/7 season. The current Andros trophy champion is Toyotas quadruple F1 world champion, Alain Prost, who was also victorious in the 2006/7 season. However, Alain has some way to go to beat the most successful ice racer of all time, Yvan Muller, who has no less than ten championships to his name. Another driver from the world of F1 on Toyotas books is Olivier Panis who, whilst not as successful as Prost, regularly appears on the winner’s rostrum. Last seasons grand finale at the Stade de France was attended by over 62,000 spectators and saw Prost and Panis, who teamed up for this exhibition event, continuing their domination of the sport with yet another victory. No doubt then that the competition attracts some of the best drivers in the world.

For the technophiles among you the Auris “ice” is a four wheel drive four wheel steer model built around the Lexus RX 300 3 litre V6 rear mounted engine pumping out over 300 bhp. The lightweight glass fibre body sits over a rigid welded steel “cage”. Tyres are standard issue Continentals, with a tread only a few inches wide covered with hundreds of tiny steel studs for extra grip on the ice.

The climax of each season is always at Superbesse in the Puy de Dome region of the Auvergne, in the Sancy Mountains south west of Clermont Ferrand. This year’s event is on Saturday 31^st January. There are two classes of car race, the top drivers competing in the Elite Class and the second tier of drivers competing in the Promotion Class. As well as the main car races there are also ‘Pilot’ bike races and the Trophée Andros Feminine in which teams of female drivers in tandem with their instructors compete for the championship in 600cc buggy style cars. Each victory is celebrated by car and bike riders alike showing off their skills at hand brake turns and wheelies, almost as spectacular as the racing itself.

Spills, thrills and skills. Not something you get every Saturday night. Well worth the admission price.

For somewhere to stay near the action visit Auvergne France Vacances.