Event Report

Pau our rendezvous for the trip was 30miles north of the Spanish border in the deep south west of France and a very historical town with it being the birth place of King Henry IV of France.

The English discovered the charms of Pau and its climate and left their imprint, partly because Wellington left a garrison at Pau on his way into Spain during the Peninsular War against Napoleon.

Pau has become a mainstay of the Tour de France cycling race, thanks both to its geographical location and to its marvellous infrastructure, i.e. the surrounding roads. And more interestingly Pau holds the honour of arranging the first race ever to be called a Grand Prix in 1901.  

The drive was full of empty meandering French toll roads, and some great mountain scenery off in the distance, all telling us that this is nothing for what to come will really make your eyes pop.

There is also a circuit in Pau’s city centre which was first used in 1933, inspired by Monaco. And its still in use today, hosting races from all disciplines of motoracing, and will feature the WTCC this year.