--- title: "Forget F1, Citroen 2CV Ice Racing Is Where It’s At" description: "In the south of France, enthusiasts race homemade Citroen 2CV race cars on ice and it looks like more fun than any other form of racing." date: "2024-03-25" modified: "2024-03-25" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/forget-f1-citroen-2cv-ice-racing-is-where-its-at" categories: - "News" --- # Forget F1, Citroen 2CV Ice Racing Is Where It’s At ![]() [Formula 1]() and most other forms of professional motorsport have almost become *too* good. The faster, more reliable, and more capable race cars get, the less exciting they can be to watch—which is why Max Verstappen's recent mechanical failure in Australia made the race considerably more exciting. Instead, I could use some low-speed, low-grip racing with DYI race cars, such as this hilarious [Citroen 2CV ]()ice racing in France. In this new episode of [The Late Brake Show](), host Jonny Smith goes ice racing in the French Alps in heavily modified Citroen 2CVs, and it's equally some of the slowest and funnest racing you can watch. None of the cars ever really go faster than 15 mph, but since they're driving on packed snow on top of ice, they're sideways almost the entire time. And despite going so slow, it's actually incredibly difficult—since drivers have to be judicious about their throttle, steering, and braking inputs. ![]() **The Late Brake Show** All of the 2CVs in the race are modified to some degree. Some use stock engines but are just stripped out to be lighter, some have engine mods like superchargers, and some are even electric. Smith drove both a gas and electric version on the ice and they look incredibly fun. It's also nice to see the different 2CV builds on different budgets. Some of them don't even have the budget for studded ice tires for all four wheels, so they just run two at the front, making them extra tail-happy through corners. I would love to see this sort of racing but with ultra-talented and competitive racing drivers behind the wheel. Can you imagine Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen going head-to-head in Citroen 2CVs on ice? Watching competitors like them sliding, overtaking, and even crashing would be infinitely more fun. And since the speeds are so low, crashing isn't [nearly as dangerous]() as it is in other forms of motorsport. If ESPN, Sky Sports, or any other network decided to put Citroen 2CV ice racing on the weekend, I'd totally watch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GEHv2BOP00 *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()