The most-famous ice-racing championship, the Andros Trophy, has begun its final campaign after 35 editions. Known for attracting some of motor sport’s biggest names to try door-to-door ice racing aboard high-powered four-wheel-drive superminis, the Andros Trophy has been a winter season highlight since its inception back in 1990.

Its 35th season, which got underway at Val Thorens in the French Alps on December 9, will however be its last after series bosses opted to pull the plug due to a mounting number of organisational issues, including climate change, a loss of sponsorship and increasing difficulty in finding host venues.

“Every event has its end, and we regret to announce that the 35th Trophée Andros will be the last,” said Max Mamers, championship president and co-founder, alongside Frédéric Gervoson. “The more things go [in the direction of climate change], the more we are obliged to find races in France above an elevation of 1500m [4900ft] to be sure of having ice. This climate story is not just in France, it’s a global thing.”

The Andros Trophy has attracted over 2000 competitors, including star names such as Alain Prost, Jacques Villeneuve, Martin Brundle, Yvan Muller, Olivier Panis, Ari Vatanen, Sébastien Ogier and Romain Grosjean. Over 350 races have been held across France and, briefly, Canada – Andorra also held a single round in 2005/6. The series made the switch to all-electric cars in 2020, and Mamers admitted a further swing to hydrogen had been discussed.

“Thirty-five seasons is more than a single adventure, it’s a great life,” added Mamers. “Let’s not be sad it’s about to end, but rejoice in these 35 seasons.”

This year’s contest attracted 12 Elite class crews, with WRC legend Sébastien Loeb, Le Mans star Benoît Tréluyer and touring car ace Yann Ehrlacher signed up in cars ranging from über-powered Renault Zoes to Audi A1s and Peugeot 208s. The final race takes place at the Super Besse ski resort in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise on January 27.