World's First Electric Car Grand Prix

A century after Grand Prix racing started in Pau, the French town has staged the world's first Electric Grand Prix.

All 12 entries used the same vehicle, the Exagon-built Andros racing car.

Originally designed for racing on ice, the car can reach speeds of 112 miles per hour.

Winding through the picturesque town of Pau, the 1.7 mile course hasn't changed much over the decades. 

Its winding route through the town has earned it comparisons with better-known Monaco.

But it's Pau that has the honor of having hosted the very first Grand Prix in 1901.

The resort in southwestern France, just 31 miles from the Spanish border, is a proven testing ground for future Formula 1 world champions on Formula 2, 3 or 3000 vehicles. 

For the die-hard motor sports fans raised on the roar of high-powered petrol engines on full throttle, electric car racing might seem a little tame. 

But others found the low-pitched whine - a bit like a jet engine but much quieter - a pleasant change from the ear-splitting roar of the traditional racing engine.

Participants included Nicolas Prost, the son of France's Formula 1 World champion Alain Prost, as well as Fabien Barthez, the former goalkeeper who helped France win the World Cup in 1998.

But neither could defeat the reigning champion of the Andros Trophy electric series on ice.

Adrien Tambay won the race ahead of Mike Parisi and Soheil Ayari, who came in third.