New Renault for Andros Trophy title defence

World Rallycross Championship team DA Racing has released a new Renault Captur ice racing car with which it will begin the defence of back-to-back Andros Trophy titles this weekend in the French Alps at Val Thorens.

World RX driver and double Andros Trophy champion Jean-baptiste Dubourg heads the team’s two-car entry, and will be joined for two events this winter by Formula E and endurance racer, Nicolas Prost.

The new car replaces the team’s successful Renault Clio 3, while experienced engineers Marcel Tarres and Sebastien Breuil have stayed.

“It’s always a great time to settle into a new car,” said Dubourg. “I’m not aiming for anything other than a third title. The Andros Trophy is all about many, many small details, down to the finest millimetres. Several titles have been decided by a single point or a few thousandths of a second during the last race of the winter. In addition to an updated body with the new Captur, we’ve worked a lot on the chassis to gain efficiency, but we all know that the challenge will be intense this winter.”

Prost previously raced in the Andros Trophy last winter, in the single-make electric category. “I’ve raced three seasons in the Andros Trophy, including with the Dacia team in 2012,” said Prost. “Dacia did not continue, which was frustrating because we were competitive at the end of the season. Since then, it’s been very difficult to add Andros Trophy races to my schedule.

“It’s been five years since I drove with an ice silhouette and I know the first few laps will be difficult. I have no pressure and will just do my best. The Andros Trophy is always good training for endurance racing and FE.”