YouTube - Live at the Apollo - Series 4 - Episode 2 (1 of 5)

YouTube - Live at the Apollo - Series 4 - Episode 2 (1 of 5)

Al Murray - genius!

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.

Rugby union: Heineken Cup: Charlie Hodgson's choices will be key to Sale's mission impossible in Munster | Sport | guardian.co.uk

Rugby union: Heineken Cup: Charlie Hodgson's choices will be key to Sale's mission impossible in Munster | Sport | guardian.co.uk

BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Sale | White to leave Sale for Clermont

BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | My Club | Sale | White to leave Sale for Clermont

BBC NEWS | Health | Obesity 'set before age of five'

BBC NEWS | Health | Obesity 'set before age of five'

A worrying trend.

What we need is more discipline in our diets and more exercise.

Why not take an active holiday in the Auvergne.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Binge drinking comes to France

BBC NEWS | Europe | Binge drinking comes to France

Blue and yellow is the colour

The French passion for rugby union is as well known as their love of fine wine.

But, in the same way that wines vary in quality so does the French national side, sometimes even in the same match. Capable of sublime attacking flair the French have the ability to beat anyone; witness the second half come back against the All Blacks at last years world cup, but at the same time can make hard work of beating lowlier opposition and are prone to self destruct during a match. When things start to go wrong the players can get frustrated and quickly loose their discipline.

Nowhere is rugby held in higher esteem than in the French region of the Auvergne, represented by one of the country’s top 14 clubs, Clermont Auvergne, based in the capital of the region, Clermont Ferrand.

The club was founded in 1911 under the initiative of Monsieur Marcel Michelin, one of the founders of the giant tyre manufacturer, who remain one of the cities biggest employers and the clubs owners and, not surprisingly, one of its chief sponsors. The official title of the club is ASM Clermont Auvergne. The initials ASM originally stood for Association Sportive Michelin, until, in 1922 the French government passed an act which forbade the use of a firms name within the title of a sporting club. Not wishing to discard the now well known initials, the club changed its title to l’Association Sportive Montferrandaise Clermont Auvergne, thus retaining the abbreviation ASM.

In 2008 the club completed the re-development of its magnificent €12 million, 16,000 capacity stadium, named after Marcel Michelin Surrounded by beautiful volcanic uplands, the ground is one of the most picturesque in the country, dominated by the Puy de Dome, the highest point overlooking the city. A visit to this stadium on match day is a treat for any rugby enthusiast. The traditional French band maintains a constant medley of trumpet inspired tunes, not even letting up during kicks at goal, a feature in contrast to the silence observed at grounds in the UK. Together with the frequent chants of A S M, A S M, even when the crowd is at less than full capacity the ground can feel full. However, with an average attendance of 14,185 for the 2007/2008 season ,this is a rare event.

Despite ASM Clermont Auvergne’s size and support they have not quite reached the level of achievement expected of them, particularly in recent times. They have been runners up no fewer than 9 times in the French championship, most recently in the past two seasons, and have never won the title. Their greatest successes have come in Europe, with two victories in the European Challenge Cup, the second tier European competition behind the Heineken Cup, in 1999 and 2007 and one runners up spot in the same competition in 2004. However, their aspirations must be to finally land the French championship and go further in the Heineken Cup. Their task in the latter has not been made any easier in recent times, being included in the same group as Munster (the eventual champions) last season, and again in this year’s competition. Despite the surprising loss to Sale in the first round of this years competition, Clermont Auvergne are a fine team at home as demonstrated by victories over Munster last year and in Sundays third round tie. However, like many French sides, they are flawed by their away form. They are still in with a chance of qualifying for the knock out stages but have yet to play Sale and Munster away from home, a tough proposition for any team. Clermont certainly have the players to cause an upset at next week-ends return fixture at Munster. The return from injury of their inspirational captain Aurelien Rougerie, the in form battering ram props Thomas Domingo and Davit Zirakashvili and the quality of Australian fly-half Brock James combine to give Clermont hope that they can go one better than last year and turn over Munster at home.