Sporting innovations and regulations of the 2006 Edition
The 2006 Race : 1070 km & 23 RT
The Calendar
Bulletin d'engagement / Entry Fee
A workshop for navigating and driving on ice
Neige & Glace 2006 : Historical review and Champions
Photos from last year over 700 photos online on automobisport.com under PHOTOS - HISTORICAL CARS and also E-CARDS
Like a famous cheese, whose authenticity is certified right on the label … there’s no doubt about it: this event’s the real thing! In 2004, 33 of you set out on this adventure; in 2005 that number more than doubled.
Your hearts race with emotion and your pulse quickens as you recall the frozen trails of the Chartreuse and Vercors, the patchwork of treasured memories from peaks to valleys, the non-stop hair-pin turns that kept you on your toes, the rush of the challenges and the laughter of the release at the end of the day, gathered together ‘round the chimney with friends, all the magic and wonder of the French Alps and the great rally challenge.
Do you remember? It was back in the 60’s and 70’s, after the Monte-Carlo race, when all the factory team drivers got together for what was then a virtual re-match, teased by a group of insolent locals whose unquestionable hero was none other than Bruno Saby. The legendary Gérard Larousse, Jean-Claude Andruet, Bob Neyret, Henri Trautmann, Jean Vinatier, Jean-Pierre Nicolas, Bernard Darniche -- they were all there -- even the famous young, bearded Henri Pescarolo, who had just perfected the Djet V for Matra. Sadly, in 1974, the oil crisis ended the rally’s glory days, limiting the event to pre-war models and the determination of a handful of passionate fans.
In 2004, Patrick Zaniroli Promotion brought back the glimmer of new hope. Event coordinator for the Princesses’ Rally, the company decided to re-ignite the flame and re-kindle the magic of the grand old tradition. The Neige & Glace event is reborn as a regularity endurance race open to all pre-1977 cars.
The concept was immediately greeted with enthusiasm, particularly the fact that the "specials" (excuse me, I mean "regularity sections"!) took place one after the other all around Grenoble, over three days of consecutive loops like daisy pedals around the same, central hotel hub.
A common purpose, a common place: all the participants joined together each evening at dinner to share the tales of the day’s accomplishments. And so, as the saying goes, "Don’t change something that works!"
For 2006, Patrick Zaniroli Promotion has decided to keep the winning formula of a consistency rally simply adding the excitement of a new location. This year, the event will take place in Aix les Bains, a magnificent city which offers, among other advantages, an elaborate hotel complex (Mercure) which is able to comfortably accommodate all the event’s participants (we’re expecting some 100) as well as their vehicles. In the true spirit of good sportsmanship and camaraderie, this year’s Neige & Glace event will remain loyal to its tradition, changing merely a bit to further increase our care and attention to monitoring technical regulations such as forbidding reconnaissance laps or "openers", and not allowing any electronic devices.
This is just a slight but somewhat essential adjustment to avoid any sense of a "weapons race" or eventual over-equipping. In an effort to reward your efforts, we’re planning a little surprise for you this year: a night-time challenge on an icy circuit – the excitement is guaranteed!
Now the ball’s in your court! We’ve laid down the rules of the game and set up the playing field … all you need to do is sign up http://www.zaniroli.com/
-Viviane Zaniroli-
photos Maggy Parries
