Nestled 1550m up in the Belladonne Mountain range is Pipay, during the winters its a popular location for winter sports. One weekend each year it becomes a drifters dream, the road is closed and a touge takes places for 40 of the craziest drivers in Europe.
The touge course starts off with a fast left hander, most people drove round this but some were drifting. Take note that there are no barriers here, just trees and a drop.
As the cars round the corner the hairpin comes into view, a flick over to the left lines the car up for the clipping point.
If the car is running the correct line then it will run the wall, the clipping point was marked with a blue box on the tarmac and some foam wedged into the wall.
Here the PUZ driver shows the correct line.
On the exit of the hairpin the drivers were letting their cars run out towards the rocks as they tried to power up the hill.
As the cars crest the hill they initiate into a fast right then left…
…before slowing into another hairpin, this time with a rear clipping point midway through the corner.
The organisers gave no doubt that they wanted to see the cars being driven to their limit.
Saturday morning started with thick fog covering the course but it didnt stop the drivers from pushing hard.
Throughout the day the conditions were less than ideal, the drivers didnt stop practicing and were quickly onto tandem runs once they were comfortable with the course.
Part 2 will contain the qualifications and battles that took place on Sunday. Keep checking back as there are a few car features and drivers articles from the event too.