Ice Racing MINI

Steve · Dec 19, 2012

Mad about ice. (MiniMotorsport.com)

19 December 2012

A winter break for motorsport? You must be joking! The TrophÃ©e Andros ice racing championship is in full swing in France, and Jean Philippe Dayraut has made a promising start in his MINI.

Each winter, just as the motorsport world is indulging in a much-deserved break, the action is just heating up in France. The engines roar in such renowned winter sport locations as Alpe D’Huez, Val Thorens and Lans-en-Vercors, as the usual winter activities on the local ski slopes take second place for a change. Now in its 23rd year, the TrophÃ©e Andros is a racing series featuring some big names, who venture onto unique circuits specially prepared on surfaces consisting purely of ice and snow. The action on the demanding tracks is similar to that on the circuits in the MINI Challenge – only on a tricky, icy surface rather than on asphalt.

The TrophÃ©e Andros was founded in 1990 by Max Mamers, himself a French Rallycross champion in 1982 and 1983. Right from the word go, the motorsport spectacle was a hit with the spectators, as the four-wheel drive powerhouses on studded tyres produced thrilling duels on the icy surface. The first man to successfully defend his title at the TrophÃ©e Andros was Yvan Muller, a former World Touring Car Champion, who recently competed in the Rally France at the wheel of a MINI John Cooper Works WRC.

Dayraut racing for MINI since 2011.

Muller won the TrophÃ©e Andros six times in a row between 1996 and 2002. Another three titles were to follow, making Yvan Muller the undisputed record winner of the TrophÃ©e Andros. Two drivers are tied in second place on three overall wins in the list of champions: four-time Formula One world champion Alain Prost, who is also the reigning TrophÃ©e Andros champion, and Jean Philippe Dayraut. Having won three titles in a row between 2009 and 2011, Dayraut switched cars last season, since when he has been driving for MINI.

“The MINI is appreciated by the public,” says Dayraut, “and its form lends well to ice racing.” Last season he finished in a promising third place overall in the MINI. Reigning champion Alain Prost will not defend his title this season. This is certainly another reason for Dayraut setting himself more ambitious goals. “I am the favourite on paper. And I will do everything to win my title,” says the Frenchman. And it looks good for him after the first two rounds of the season in Val Thorens and Andorra. He has already climbed onto the top step of the podium on two occasions. After this dazzling start, you could justifiably say that Jean Philippe Dayraut is mad about ice in his MINI.

Another four rounds are scheduled in Alpe D’Huez (21st/22nd December), Isola 2000 (11th/12th January 2013), Lans-en-Vercors (18th/19th January 2013) and St. DiÃ© des Vosges (26th January 2013) before the season reaches its conclusion in Super Besse (2nd February 2013). As such, the TrophÃ©e Andros is guaranteed to throw up even more excitement over the winter. We will keep you up-to-date with events in the TrophÃ©e Andros at Facebook.com/MINImotorsport.
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Steve · Dec 19, 2012

If I read that right, he's 2 for 2 so far, having won both of the first 2 races of the season.

Steve · Jan 5, 2013

lotsie · Jan 5, 2013

Very cool wink

We had ice racing back in Manitoba, great fun, bunch of old beaters, classic Minis included, out on rivers and lakes that had courses plowed clear of snow.

In that top picture, are the other cars rear wheels steering?

Neat to see those tall skinny aggressive tread tires, reminds me of Poco's early days drifting around on snowy back roads

Steve · Jan 6, 2013

lotsie said: ↑

In that top picture, are the other cars rear wheels steering?
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I think I've read some of them do have rear wheel steering.

Steve · Jan 28, 2013

Caption from Mini Motorsport: "Up by 47 points in the overall classification now, Jean-Philippe Dayraut just edged closer to winning the 2013 TrophÃ©e Andros in his ice-racing MINI. Final race is Feb. 2 in Super Besse. Fingers crossed."

I see more than one MINI in that pic.

Steve · Feb 12, 2013

Dayraut uses his head to win the title. (MiniMotorsport.com)

8 February 2013

Title number four at the TrophÃ©e Andros ice racing series for Jean-Philippe Dayraut. Behind the wheel of a MINI, the Frenchman dominated this seasonâ€™s competition.

Seven first places, two of which were double victories, and eleven out of a possible 13 podium finishes: it does not get much better for Jean-Philippe Dayraut. Having had to settle for third place overall last season, the Frenchman was simply too strong this season. Jean-Philippe put on a masterful show for fans at the TrophÃ©e Andros ice racing series at the wheel of his 340-hp MINI Countryman, which has been specially modified for outings on ice and snow, adding a fourth title to the hat-trick he won between 2009 and 2011.

Question: Congratulations on the title, Jean-Philippe. You started the season as favourite. What was the key to your overall victory this year?

Jean-Philippe Dayraut: The secret is precision and teamwork. From a technical point of view, you cannot leave anything to chance. For example, we worked hard on the performance of the tyres. The technical data we gathered last season was also important. Without them, we would not have been so far up the field all the time.

Question: How much of the success is down to the MINI Countryman?

Jean-Philippe: MINI is an original and very popular among fans. The shape of the MINI Countryman is tailor-made for the conditions at ice races. We fitted the MINI with a six-cylinder engine for its outings at the TrophÃ©e Andros, meaning the MINI now generates 340 hp.

Question: What round was the most difficult this season?

Jean-Philippe: All the rounds are important, and there is a lot on the line in every single race. For me personally, it is always important psychologically to be well placed after the race in Alps Dâ€™Huez. I want to be in the lead going into Christmas.

Question: Did you find anything surprisingly easy this season?

Jean-Philippe: Competitive situations are never easy. However, the team and I were the smartest this year, and that helped me claim overall victory. The fantastic results we achieved this year came about because we all did our very best as a team.

Question: Next season does not begin until December. Where will you line up between now and then?

Jean-Philippe: I will be in action at the Pikes Peak Race in the USA, as well as the Mitjet Series in France, which I have organised and will also see SÃ©bastien Loeb and Yvan Muller start the odd race in 2013.

Question: What are your chances of defending the title in 2014?

Jean-Philippe: I will obviously be back to defend my title. I can hardly wait to get going again. However, we have a lot of work between now and then. I will do everything in my power to successfully defend my title.

Questions: Bertrand Balas drives the second MINI in your team. How much do you have to do with him? After all, you are both rivals.

Jean-Philippe: I have a very good relationship with Bertrand and am pleased with his fifth place overall this season. We are a team, and that is our strength.
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