Although wintry conditions had yet to settle in the French Alps, the track at Val Thorens featured a satisfactory layer of ice which allowed Alain Prost, Evens Stievenart and Nicolas Prost to give Dacia Lodgy Glace its maiden run on the type of surface for which it was designed.

The objective for Trophée Andros rookie Nicolas was to find his marks, while Alain and Evens confirmed what they and Team Dacia had sensed during the build-up to the race: that the car was quick and agile. Alain Prost backed up that impression with the fastest time during Saturday morning’s free practice run. That was followed by the qualifying heats which counted for 80 percent of the points awarded for the season’s opening heat. Nicolas was the first of the three Dacia drivers to go out. He continued to familiarise himself with the new car as Alain and Evens emerged among the early leaders, despite the rapidly deteriorating conditions. Three good laps harvested second place for Evens, but Alain Prost could do no better than eighth on the bumpy track.

The conditions were even worse for the second qualifying heat. Nicolas reported patches of asphalt, ruts and bumps after his run round this otherwise technically demanding track. Team Dacia soon realised that it would be tough for its drivers to match their earlier times, so it opted for a strategy which consisted in asking Evens Stievenart to bed in some tyres for the weekend’s second race, on Sunday. Alain Prost was the last driver to go out and, once again, he finished eighth. The combined results of the two heats put Evens in third position, with Alain and Nicolas following in 10th and 25th places respectively.

Alain Prost started his race from fifth place, but his experience and race craft enabled him to battle his way back up to third place at the flag. Nicolas continued his learning curve by reaching the finish of his race, despite his rear-left tyre coming off its rim. Evens Stievenart completed the day with a strong drive which saw him start from second on the grid before easing ahead thanks to a spectacular passing manoeuvre. The Abbeville-based driver went on to win his race to consolidate his third place for the day (qualifying heats + race). Alain Prost was ninth overall and Nicolas Prost 23rd.

Evens Stievenart (3rd): “It was great to get the year started with a podium finish and victory in my race. I don’t compete during the summer and I always need time to adapt to be able to post three consistent laps, so I was pleased with today’s run. I feel very comfortable at the wheel of Dacia Lodgy Glace, but the conditions weren’t easy. I was a little lucky to win today, and I think Alain was less fortunate.”

Alain Prost (9th): “Dacia Lodgy Glace is a well-sorted car, and you could see that from my best time in free practice. The track conditions were complex today, with ruts, asphalt and bumps. They combined to make the car very unstable. It was a bit of a lottery. Evens’ podium finish is a very positive result which proves the benefit of running two cars.”

Nicolas Prost (23rd): “I learnt a great deal today. I only managed to complete 15 or so laps on ice in this four-wheel steering car, but it was all good experience. The aim is to push more and more each time out. I think I have already progressed a notch between my first run on Friday evening and today’s finale. I know it’s going to be hard work, and I intend to take things one step at a time.”

Val Thorens 1 – final positions: 1, Benjamin Rivière (Skoda Fabia). 2, Pierre Llorach (Renault Clio III). 3, Evens Stievenart (Dacia Lodgy Glace). 4, Olivier Panis (Skoda Fabia). 5, Jean-Philippe Dayraut (Mini Countryman). 6, Nicolas Bernardi (Ford Fiesta). 7, Jean-Baptiste Dubourg (Renault Clio III). 8, Franck Lagorce (Skoda Fabia). 9, Alain Prost (Dacia Lodgy Glace). 10, Didier Thoral (Toyota Auris)… 23, Nicolas Prost (Dacia Lodgy Glace). Etc.

Provisional Trophée Andros positions: 1, Benjamin Rivière (Skoda Fabia), 78 points. 2, Pierre Llorach (Renault Clio III), 77. 3, Evens Stievenart (Dacia Lodgy Glace), 75. 4, Olivier Panis (Skoda Fabia), 70. 5, Jean-Philippe Dayraut (Mini Countryman), 70. 6. Nicolas Bernardi (Ford Fiesta), 70. 7, Jean-Baptiste Dubourg (Renault Clio III), 69. 8, Franck Lagorce (Skoda Fabia), 69. 9, Alain Prost (Dacia Lodgy Glace), 66… 23, Nicolas Prost (Dacia Lodgy Glace), 41. Etc.