(Stade de France, Paris, Saturday December 16, 2006)Jimmie Johnson & Travis Pastrana to represent Team USA
The organizers of the 2006 Race of Champions - Nations Cup, a unique and spectacular competition thatopposes motor sport champions and superstars from across the world, are delighted to confirm the return ofNASCAR superstar Jimmie Johnson and multiple X-Games Champ Travis Pastrana to spearhead the USA's bidto win the coveted ROC Nations Cup.
Johnson, currently leading Nascar’s title Chase and winner of both this year’s Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400,was a member of Team USA in 2002 that claimed America’s first Nations Cup title in the Canary Islands withteammates Jeff Gordon and Colin Edwards. The 31-year old Californian will participate in his third ROC event(2002 and 2004) and return to the Stade de France in Paris on December 16."I’m thrilled about being able to represent Team USA again this season,” explained Johnson. "It's agreat event that pits the top drivers in Motorsports from around the world from every discipline.Typically you don’t get the chance to race against the top competitors from Formula One, off-road,rally and Champ cars, but this event allows you to do it with its creative format. I’m lookingforward to getting out there and representing the United States and NASCAR."
Johnson is excited about teaming together with another ROC veteran, and motorpsorts star in Pastrana."I've been a big fan of his (Pastrana) for a long time,” said Johnson. “He's been doing a tremendousjob moving to four wheels and learning the rally cars this year. He just won the North AmericanRally championship this year, which is very impressive when you consider his background ismotocross. Travis and I are going to try and get together here within the next couple of weeks andget some practice so we are prepared to take on the top competition from around the world."Currently best-known for his exploits on motorbikes, Travis himself competed in the ROC-Nations Cup in 2003and in Paris last year. Since then, his career on four-wheels has progressed at an extremely fast rate of knots.With one event still to run, Pastrana has already clinched the North American Rally America series title thisyear. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles last August, he took the gold medal in the inaugural X-Games Rally 12,beating in the process none other than former World Rally Champion Colin McRae from Scotland!
"I am glad to have another opportunity to race with the best drivers in the world and I expect to bea contender," promises the 23-year old from Maryland. "Last year I was off the pace but with a yearmore experience under my belt and coming off a win at the X-games as well as winning the RallyAmerica Championship, I feel much more confident and ready. Jimmie has always been aninspiration to me the way he has come from his motocross and off-road racing background to beinga dominant force in NASCAR. It is a privilege to have him on Team USA. With a little luck, I believewe have the ability to pull off an upset in this year's Nations Cup."
Jim Hancock, promoter of ROC Team USA - feels the third time will be the charm with Johnson and Pastrana."This is our third year in Paris and once again we have the best drivers in the world competing inhead to head competition. I am certain that this year's Team USA with Jimmie Johnson and TravisPastrana have what it takes to bring the Nations Cup home with them.”Other drivers that have committed to participate in the 2006 ROC event include Formula 1 stars Jenson Button,David Coulthard, Rally World Champions Sebastien Loeb, Marcus Gronholm and Colin McRae, Dakar ChampionStephane Peterhansel, Champ Car Champion Sebastien Bourdais, 7-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen etc.).
For more information on Race of Champions please visit www.raceofchampions.com.
TICKETING INFORMATIONAdvanced bookings via the usual outlets:- From outside of France: call +33 1 46 91 57 62 or visit www.stadefrance.com- In France: Fnac, Carrefour, Auchan, Virgin, Leclerc, Géant or by calling 0892 700 900 (0.34euros/min),- Group bookings: call +33 1 55 93 01 49 or e-mail groupes-ce@stadefrance.com- Bookings for handicapped spectators: call +33 1 55 93 08 20.Prices start from €25 (view of entire circuit from all seats).Car park: €13 (advanced sales only)
