Mild weather disrupts Andros practice

The eight-round winter series starts at Val Thorens and finishes in February at the Stade de France in Paris. There are 16 cars entered in the Elite class, for cars with four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. Touring car star Yvan Muller is back with the Opel team, defending the title he has won for the past four years.

His Astra will face stiff competition, however, not only from his team-mates Eric Helary, Dany Snobeck and new boy Dayraut, but especially from his great rival Marcel Tarrès. Second overall for the past two years, Tarrès should now benefit from the support of Citroen Sport, who have helped in the updating of his Xsara.

Nissan have once more entered two Micras. Their driver line-up has changed, with double Sports Racing World Cup champion Emmanuel Collard joining the team. He will be sharing a car with experienced ice racer Jean-Pierre Malcher, along with Tarres the only driver to have taken part in all rounds of the Trophy, now entering its 11th season.

Pierre Colard, while hoping to retain his Under-Two Litre title, must also have an outside chance at overall victories this year. He may be helped by the new Michelin studded tyres which might favour the extremely light Peugeot. Another Peugeot 306 will be driven by Sportscar and Andros regular Philippe Gache.

As well as the Elite drivers, twenty cars will take part in the Promotion categories, for cars with two wheel steering.