Sebastien Bourdais, the three-time Champ Car Champion who is currently third in the 2007 driver standings with only three points separating him from current points leader Robert Doornbos, will return to the Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium this December for his fourth attempt at winning the prestigious title.
Bourdais is the latest high-profile driver confirmed for this year’s event, including
seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher, Formula One stars David Coulthard, Jenson Button, double World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx and ex-World Rally Champion Colin McRae. The French racing star will be part of Team France with his team-mate who is yet to be announced.
The highly-talented Frenchman, who completed a successful two-day test for the Formula One team Torro Rosso at Spa Francorchamps today, has raced three times in this unique event, which puts the finest of the rallying world against the best of circuit racing in a thrilling head-to-head contest. The 28-year-old has taken part in the Race of Champions in 2002 and 2006 with three-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, and in 2004 with Stephane Sarrazin for PlayStation Team France.
Sarrazin and Bourdais were re-united this year at the Le Mans 24 hour race where they, along with Pedro Lamy, finished second overall for Peugeot.
“I am very happy to participate in the Race of Champions and to represent France this year at Wembley Stadium,” said Bourdais. “It is always an honour to be invited to the Race of Champions, it will be my fourth participation and it is an event that I always enjoy!”
Fredrik Johnsson, creator of the Race of Champions, added: “Sebastien’s record in North America speaks for itself. We are very proud and delighted to welcome him back to the Race of Champions family for his fourth year.”
Tickets are available for purchase through http://www.raceofchampions.com/
Notes to editors
The ROC was created in 1988 by Fredrik Johnsson and the world’s best woman rally driver Michele Mouton, and remains the only opportunity for the world’s motorsport heroes from many various disciplines to race in exactly the same cars and on a parallel-track.
The premise is simple: using identical equipment and track, drivers can prove themselves based on their talent alone. The drivers compete in a series of knockout heats in their own division to determine their class champion. Then, in a shoot-out to determine who is the master of motorsport, the winners go head-to-head in a super final. The victor is rewarded with the title “The Champion of Champions”.
This traditional end-of-season showdown attracts spectators from across Europe. For three years the event, held at the Stade de France in Paris, has attracted well over 50,000 spectators each year.
Action from the Race of Champions - Nations Cup at Stade de France the 2006 Race of Champions Nations Cup was broadcast in over 200 countries and watched by more than 186 million viewers.
