F1 STARS PROST AND PANIS TO CHALLENGE THE BEST ON ICE

THE ANDROS TROPHY ON MOTORS TV UK

As we watch most 2005 championships come to a close and witness new stars become champions and former champions successfully defend their laurels, Motors TV UK takes the opportunity to turn our attention to a highly skilful and spectacular series to quench our motorsport thirst through the winter in the form of the Andros Trophy.

Over the next two months, seven French ski resorts will host a round of France’s most prestigious ice-racing series culminating in a grand finale in the Stade de France.  The ice track on which the race is run is prepared weeks in advance, being ritually sprayed with water to ensure an even and stable coating of ice.  However, the often unpredictable weather conditions make for exciting viewing when ice melts or forms, challenging even the most talented sideways driver.

Running since 1990, the Andros Trophy now attracts big name drivers and manufacturers with 2003 BTCC champion Yvan Muller leading the pack in his four-wheel-drive Kia.  With nine Andros titles to his credit, Muller is now dubbed ‘The King of Ice’, but stiff competition is waiting in the wings.

Four-time F1 champion Alain Prost will be back behind the wheel of a Toyota joined by 1996 Monaco GP victor and current Toyota F1 test driver Olivier Panis, while perennial participant Dany Snobeck will be back with his BMWs.

Every Wednesday after a Trophy round there will be a 90-minute dedicated programme on Motors TV UK from 18:00hrs, as well as 26-minute show for the two-wheel version of the Trophy, the Pilot Bike series.

But before the action kicks off for the first round of the series in Val Thorens, a special feature programme will be aired looking back at the last 10 years of the Andros Trophy on Sunday 13 November from 18:30hrs. The 2005-2006 season preview can also be seen on Friday 25 November at 21:00hrs.

Andros Trophy round  -  Race date  - Motors TV UK programme schedule

Val Thorens 3-4 December, 2005 7 December, 18:00hrsAndorre, Pas de la Case 10-11 December, 2005 14 December, 18:00hrsAlpe d’Huez 16-17 December, 2005 21 December, 18:00hrsIsola 2000 7-8 January, 2006 11 January, 18:00hrsLans en Vercors 13-14 January, 2006 18 January, 18:00hrsSerre-Chevalier 21-22 January, 2006 25 January, 18:00hrsClermont/Super Besse, Final 27-28 January, 2006 1 February, 18:00hrsParis Stade de France, Super Final 18 March, 2006 22 March, Time TBC