The GP Ice Race that took place on Zell-am-See, Austria this week, featured a Bugatti Baby II in the safety car role. The electric vehicle tries to imitate the legendary Type 35, which opened the original GP Ice Race 62 years ago.
The event attracted quite a few other noteworthy vehicles, including a Formula racecar. The kids’ ride (see video) was co-designed by Bugatti and Little Car Company, with the latter currently handling the production. It is an open-top electric two-seater available in multiple variants for kids of different ages. The Baby II model that hit the track in Austria was the top spec capable of accelerating to 70 km/h (43.5 mph).
As a safety car, it was retrofitted with additional lighting, spiky winter tires and a diff lock. The company said it was called ‘Ice Spec’, but never answered whether an option pack by that name may later go on sale.
The safety car ended up never having to interfere in the race, but it did make one demo run dragging a few skiers in tow.
The race itself had no live audience due to Covid restrictions. It also featured a couple of Ferrari and Lamborghini rides, as well as an ultra-rare Aston Martin Bulldog. The list goes on to include Ken Block’s new Audi S1 EV and the Red Bull F1 racer. This was Max Verstappen’s first return to the track after his championship. The racecar received a specially prepped set of tires, and Verstappen did several laps just for fun.