The high mountain resorts of the Alps might to most people conjure up images of après ski and tranquil alpine landscapes but, for those who arrive at the right time of year, there is a far more frenetic treat in store when some of the most aggressive motor racing this side of a stock car arena comes to town. Welcome to the Trophée Andros ice racing championship.
If you were wondering, Andros makes jam, and is owned by Frédéric Gervoson who, along with French Rallycross star, Maz Marmers, established the series in 1990.
Its popularity grew rapidly, though beyond a one-off excursion to Canada and a single round held in Andorra, it has remained a strictly French affair.
This hasn’t stopped the championship attracting drivers of the highest calibre, including Yvan Muller (claimant of the greatest number of Andros titles), arguably the greatest Sebastien to have ever raced (Loeb) and a certain Alain Prost, a three-time Andros champion, with one of his wins secured in that most lauded of competition machines, the Dacia Lodgy.
Over time, the cars used in the Andros have evolved from production-based machines, much like regular rally cars, to bespoke creations honed to run solely on short, ice-encrusted tracks. In the past, these featured snarling ICE engines, but the series is now 100 per cent EV, and has been on the electrification journey longer than most.
Electric journey
Climate change and reducing the environmental impact of their operations are major factors for the ski resorts Andros visits.. For obvious reasons, they also tend to be situated in areas of outstanding natural beauty, and so are coming under increasing pressure to reduce the impact of development on these natural landscapes.
