Pau: the angry pilots

Eric Cayrolle, who brought home a point from one of the two WTCC races in Pau this season, took the news as many perceive it: the slow death of the Grand Prix. After the decision of Martine Lignières-Cassou, mayor of Pau, to suspend the event in 2010, the Béarnais has few illusions. “ We can already talk about the Grand Prix in the past tense, he confides to Sud Ouest. My feeling is that this is a political decision. We will never see a Grand Prix in Pau again. »

Laurent Cazenave, present in Lédenon for the final of the French GT FFSA championship, made the same observation. “ I am both sad and revolted. Except for the 2007 edition, I have had the chance to take part in all the editions since 1995. If there are so many Pau drivers, so many mechanics, motorsport specialists, it is thanks to the Grand Prix which rocked our youth. It is an event which contributed to making the city famous. When I was traveling through Europe, when I said where I was from I was told about two things: the Grand Prix of Pau and Lourdes. I think that André Labarrère (former mayor of Pau, editor’s note) must be turning in his grave... »

For some, it's a cold shower, like Mike Parisy, who didn't expect such a decision. “ This suspension of the Grand Prix, I don't realize it yet, he says to Sud Ouest. I didn't think it would be so radical. I made myself available to the town hall and the ACBB (Basco-Béarnais automobile club, editor’s note) to give my opinion, but I was never contacted. They want to restart the car ? It's soporific! There is no more overtaking, it's not interesting. The category in which I race (GT3) is much more exciting! »

Despite everything, Martine Lignières-Cassou has launched a call for tenders to choose a firm which will evaluate the possibilities for the next Pau Grand Prix, which should therefore take place in 2011, during the Pentecost weekend, according to the wishes. from the mayor of Pau.