Created in 1970 by Paul Ricard, over the years this circuit has welcomed the Formula 1 Grand Prix de France and a number of international races.

In 1999, the idea was to make the Circuit Paul Ricard the leading circuit in the world dedicated exclusively to tests and communication, and rename it Circuit Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track. With the setting up of the best safety elements around the track and particularly the « run-off » areas, it was consecrated in 2005 : Leading Centre of Excellence by the FIA institute for Motor Sports safety.

When the idea emerged of choosing a Formula 1 circuit to be reproduced on ice, the Paul Ricard track struck us as being the best for our concept. Besides it being obvious that “ice and Ricard” are absolutely compatible (!!!), it was first and foremost because the exceptional level of safety which characterizes the «real circuit » was also the best to represent optimum safety with a frozen lake, no trees, no crash barriers and no walls… What convinced us next was the exceptional length of the Mistral Straight which allows a particularly high top speed, a pure moment of adrenaline on the ice…. The last thing that swayed us in its favour is the design of the circuit itself; it is perfect for ice-driving.

This site is therefore a blend of speed, prestige and safety. It was therefore a logical choice to represent the 3 values of Laponie Ice Driving.

We were extremely honoured to receive the approval and trust of those in charge of Paul Ricard to reproduce the exact track. Our special thanks go to Marie Pierre Dupasquier for believing in the project and supporting our dossier.

Silverstone was opened as a World War Two airfield in 1943, near the leafy village of the same name. Once the war had ended in 1945 Britain was left with a number of redundant airfields but without a major race track

The Royal Automobile Club was interested in Silverstone as a potential site and approached the Air Ministry in 1948 and a lease was arranged.

On October 2nd, 1948, amid straw bales and ropes, Silverstone's first event took place, the RAC Grand Prix. The crowds came in their thousands, thrilled to see the return of Grand Prix racing after so many years of war austerity.

The winner of the inaugural race at the Silverstone circuit was Luigi Villoresi in a Maserati, who recorded an average speed of 72 mph. 1950 was a significant occasion for motorsport and the event was awarded the title of the European Grand Prix.

When the time came to choose a second ice track to give our customers increased variety, the following points were listed in the Specifications:

- A mythical and internationally famous F1 circuit
- Legendary speed and a « flat » track which are both perfect for ice-driving with a number of combinations
- Now part of F1 Championship calendar


Taking these criteria into account, it was easy to make a choice. From June 2011, Olivier LOISY was in charge of initiating discussions with Silverstone board of management. These Discussions went extremely fast and in July 2011 we were honoured to receive the trust and approval of our negotiation contacts.

Eric is enthusiast since always for motor racing. To live fully is passion, he created in 1989 his own VdeV racing team, and did compete in historic categories

In 1992, after 2 title of France Champion, he decided to create his first endurance meeting : “les 2 tours d’horloge..” And everything started from then…

Today, VdeV Sport is the organisator of the french championships of modern GT’s, Prototypes, and historic endurance races. During those fabulous meetings, exceptional cars are next to each other, driven by many gentlemen drivers

After the Laponie Ice Driving Concept had been presented to him, Eric Van De Vyver accepted to become Partner, by being the voice of a service “convivial, nice and usefull” as he likes them and as he could discover on site during winter 2011.