2012, the Grand Prix de Pau, much awaited by both professional and amateur motor sport enthusiasts, will gather the future champions of tomorrow.
From the detection of young talents to the consecration of the F1 Superlicence, the programme is complete in thepaddock: the French F4 Championship dedicated to the youngest drivers, the Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS regrouping young talents from France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland and last but not least, the top step held by the Formula 3 which mixes drivers from the FIA International Trophy and the British F3 championship.
The Touring grids will boast the Porsche Matmut Carrera Cup, the Peugeot RCZ Racing Cup and the Mitjet Series.They will all invest the Circuit in the City and treat us to exhilarating shows. Two additional grids are still underdiscussion…
The Grand Prix week puts the town on automobile time, linking the Grand Prix de Pau to the Grand Prix de PauHistorique which opens the festivities a week before. All kinds of activities, particularly in connection withautomobile such as brand new the French "Kart Jeunes" which offers any enthusiast to have a try on an electricalgo-kart and the come back of the Virtual Grand Prix de Pau, very successful in 2011.
There will also be various regional specialities in a town decked out in the colours of the event.A “not to be missed” invitation to a high quality motor racing competition from 11 to 13 May 2012.
Formule 3 - F1 ANTICHAMBERFormula 3 and Pau, where many famous drivers made their names: Lewis Hamilton, Romain Grosjean, BenoitTreluyer or Anthony Davidson are inseparable. From a technical point of view, the layout is equivalent to Formula1 and remains essential to form young drivers to the highest level of motor sports.
This year, the selectivity of the urban Grand Prix de Pau track has once again been chosen by the FIA tobe included in the Formula 3 International Trophy calendar. This series is made up of rounds all over theworld. At the end of the season, the first three drivers in the overall classification will be awarded the F1Superlicence.
This race at Pau will also be entered in the British Championship Cooper Tires British F3 InternationalSeries calendar. The grid will mix the two series, but the cars will all have the same technical definition,namely a Dallara chassis propelled by a 2.0L engine (of origine Mercedes Benz, Mugen Honda,Volkswagen or Toyota) developing approximately 210 hp and respecting the standard FIA regulations.
The Formula 3 Grand Prix held on Sunday will be the Grand Prix de Pau 2012 and remains without doubt the flagship race of the event.
Grand Prix de Pau 2011: German, Marco Wittman added his name to the Grand Prix de Pau Visitors Book.
Track timeFree Practice 2 x 45 minutesQualifications 1 x 30 minutesRaces 1 x 30 minutes Saturday1 x 40 minutes Sunday
Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS – THE TALENT REVEALERCreated in 1971, the Formula Renault has been a stepping stone forthe greatest drivers. In 2000, under the name “Formula Renault 2.0’’,it imposed itself as an almost mandatory passage for young driversaspiring to a career in F1.
The ALPS championship gathers teams from France, Italy, Switzerlandand Spain and racing drivers from all European countries. This yearagain the rookies will put on the show.
Grand Prix de Pau 2011- Javier Tarancon, after tights duals along the city layout, wins the two races.Race 1 : 1. Javier Tarancon – 2. Yann Zimmer – 3. Paul-Loup ChatinRace 2 : 1. Javier Tarancon – 2. Paul-Loup Chatin – 3. Kevin GilardoniMore information onrenaultsportitalia.it
Track timeFree Practice 1 x 60 minutesQualifications 1 x 30 minutesRaces 1 x 25 minutes + 1 lap on Saturday1 x 25 minutes + 1 lap on Sunday:
Championnat de France FFSA F4 – SCHOOL FOR CHAMPIONSFlagship of the French Federation, the Championnat de France F4 –former Formula Academy and Filière Elf, isalso a real springboard for budding talents arriving in the majority from go-karting and intending to join singleseater-motor racing like for instance French Jean-Eric Vergne.
The federal institution organises, with this sole and only school, a competition to train young drivers and mechanics. The Academicians affront one another with single-seaters equipped with carbon monocoque chassis and 1,6L Renault K4 MRS engines developing 140 hp. Adjustments are authorised by engineers from big French teams. The pupils benefit from conferences, workshops and lessons around the motor sports theme and have the possibility to enter the Pôle Espoir, a "sportstudies" allowing to combine motor sports and schooling.
In 2011, the promising young drivers of the category gave their best to put their names in the Pau Prize List watched by the President of the French Federation, Mr. Nicolas Deschaux. Matthieu Vaxivière took the advantage…Race 1 : 1. Matthieu Vaxiviere – 2. Cyril Raymond – 3. Pierre GaslyRace 2 : 1. Matthieu Vaxiviere – 2. Pierre Sancinena – 3. Aurélien PanisTrack timeFree Practice 1 x 30 minutesQualifications 1 x 30 minutesRaces 2 x 30 minutes
Peugeot RCZ Racing CUP – COMPETITION GOES ALONG WITH EMOTIONPeugeot has always been present at the Grand Prix de Pau. Either through various promotion operations or officialparticipations in the French Championships, over ten years of partnership and loyalty link Peugeot to Pau.Once again in 2012, the French brand will be officially present at Pau with the recently launched, single-seater series raced with the Lion’s emblematic Coupé. 250 hp and 1070 kg make it an extremely performing racing car and the pack will certainly be very spirited on this urban layout.
Track timeFree Practice 2 x 45 minutesQualifications 1 x 30 minutes Saturday1 x 30 minutes SundayRaces 1 x 30 minutes Saturday1 x 30 minutes Sunday
Porsche Matmut Carrera Cup – SUCH COURAGE!The new 911 GT3 Cup, inaugurated in 2011 for the 25th anniversary of the Porsche Matmut Carrera Cup, is morepowerful with improved aerodynamics. This 2011 model is consistent with its famous elders: a real racing car developed from its production version. Technically, the car has a water cooled 6 cylinder Boxer type engine, amechanical 6 gear box and 3 797cc. The speeds reached along the Circuit in the City will show the skills of their drivers who will put on a brave face... The Porsche Matmut Carrera Cup promises to be an exhilarating race!
Track TimeFree Practice 1 x 30 minutesQualifications 1 x 45 minutes Saturday (20' + 5' + 20')Races 1 x 40 minutes Saturday (night session)1 x 20 minutes Sunday
Mitjet Series – RACES TO TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAYThe Mitjet Series made its first appearance in 2007 with 25 cars on the starting line of the Nogaro “Coupes de Pâques”. 55 cars and 70 drivers entered for the 2010 season: the figures speak for themselves. The Mitjet Series is a real success! These small "silhouettes" surprise with their performances and offer real motor racing sensations withfights on all levels. This discipline is open to both experienced drivers and amateur drivers looking for strong sensations.
The show offered by some 50 entered cars promises to be fiery.Track timeFree Practice 1 x 30 minutesQualifications 1 x 30 minutesRaces 2 x 20 minutes Saturday2 x 20 minutes Sunday
The second edition of the Grand Prix de Pau by Peter Auto promises to carry on the tradition of one of the mostpopular races in motor sports. In 2012, shop-keepers, local councillors and residents of Pau will be onceagain totally involved in the event, bearing the race colours and offering various activities during the ten GrandPrix days. Among them, the famous “casetas”, convivial meeting place in the heart of Pau.Tickets and VIP packages are already available, along with all the latest news about the event, on ourwebsite: grandprixdepau.com
