USF2000 champion Nicolas Jamin was the guest star of ERDF Trophée Andros Electrique last weekend at the Isola 2000 ski resort in France and raced an electric car sponsored by Mazda. Despite his ice-rookie status, the Frenchman, who turned 20 last month, finished  sixth in his best qualifying round and seventh in the finale.

The Trophée Andros, started in 1990, is the only ice-racing series in the world taking its competitors to seven famous ski resorts in France and the principality of Andorra from December to February. The 2015-2016 season involves four different series including the ERDF Trophée Andros Electrique, where Jamin was one of two guest stars.

All the cars competing in the ERDF Trophée Andros Electrique are identical. They are two-wheel drive, powered by a 90kw electric engine. Each tire has a total of 350 nails, allowing the car to stick to the ice. The only items that differentiate each car are the driver, the color and the name of the sponsor. Jamin was driving the No. 10 Mazda France race car and had to learn how to drive that type of car, which needs a lot of practice time that unfortunately one doesn’t have in competition.

On Day One, Jamin gained a lot of experience during the two qualifying rounds, where it is almost impossible to pass, and finished tenth and sixth. On Saturday, Jamin finished  seventh  in the event final race. At the end of race, Jamin had assimilated the ice-racing driving technique to match the lap times of the top drivers and was already looking and asking for more.

“I am so happy and excited to make my debut in the Trophée Andros Electrique,” Jamin said before the start of the weekend. “Since my first Mazda Road to Indy racing season in 2014, I haven’t had opportunities to race in Europe very much. I want to thank Mazda France and the Trophée Andros promoters for inviting me and giving me the chance to compete in this unique ice-racing Trophée Andros series. I was really pleased with the team and my progress throughout the event. I am eager to come back and, this time, race at the front of the pack.”

This experience was really beneficial for Jamin, who is now heading to America to complete a pre-season testing program to prepare for the 2016 Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. Jamin’s team and program should be announced soon. Jamin’s first 2016 race is set for St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 11-13.