Christopher Fillocque / Photo credits: PAULO MARIA / PAULO MARIA / INTERSLIDE / DPPI VIA AFP
As a result of the effects of climate change, the 35th edition of the Andros Trophy, a car racing competition on ice, bowed out on Saturday in Super-Besse.
Fabien Barthez, Laura Flessel, Alain Prost and even David Hallyday, they all have one thing in common, driving on snow. They are part of the 2,000 pilots who took part in the Andros Trophy. Started in 1990 and after more than 350 races on the ice, the discipline bowed out on Saturday at Super-Besse.
“We can say that we have witnessed some great fights for 35 years”
The organizers decided to cut contact. A pioneer in motor sports by organizing the world’s first 100% electric race in 2009, the Andros Trophy is ultimately a victim of global warming. As a symbol, the legendary ice race experienced its last lap on Saturday, in a landscape devoid of snow.
“It was a success. We can say that for 35 years we have witnessed great fights, beautiful images, everything you can hope for when you are a motorsport fanatic, sideways, acrobatics behind the wheel “I think it was a good thing for 35 years and we’re a little regretful that it’s stopping,” recalls Bruno Saby, winner of the Monte Carlos rally, speaking to Canal+.
The legendary and spectacular event, bringing together stars and champions of motorsport, quickly attracted the public. The enthusiasm is such that eight stages of the competition take place in a Stade de France, filled with snow for the occasion. Aurélien Panis, who won his third title in the discipline, will therefore be the last champion. Three decades after Eric Arpin, the first winner in 1990.