In less than seventy-two hours motorsport fans attending Wembley Stadium will witness sixteen of the world’s finest drivers battle it out in The Race of Champions to see one driver crowned the Champion of Champions.
Wembley Stadium has now been transformed into a spectacular custom-built tarmac race track and will host a star-studded line up of drivers, including seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher as well as Formula One favourites, Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Heikki Kovalainen, for this dynamic knock-out competition.
It is not just the stars on the track who are getting excited about the event, celebrities including Harry Potter co-star and Formula One fanatic Rupert Grint will also join the crowd in a packed-out Wembley Staduim. Rupert said about this weekend’s event: “I'm a massive motorsports fan and can't wait until this weekend when the The Race of Champions comes to town. It's a wicked opportunity to see all the world's best drivers under one roof and at Wembley too - I'm sure it's going to be amazing!”
Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series, is looking forward to The Race of ChampionsNow in its twentieth year, the premise of The Race of Champions is simple: using identical equipment and track, 16 champions from varied motorsport disciplines can prove themselves based on talent alone. The crowd will have a great unhindered view of the entire track as the best drivers in the world, including stars from World Rally and NASCAR, fight it out to become the ultimate Champion of Champions.
Organiser and co-founder Fredrik Johnsson said: "After years of hard planning and meticulous organisation The Race of Champions has finally arrived in London and it will be a truly amazing day for everyone that attends.
"With tens of thousands of people packing out Wembley Stadium, together with the smell of burning rubber and the roar of engines, the atmosphere will be electric! Tickets have been snapped-up since they went on sale, however there is still a limited few available."
When asked who he thinks will win the trophy Fredrik said: "It's a close call, I wouldn’t like to say! The drivers have all flown in and are all gearing up to take the title – they are all incredible relaxed and looking forward to a fun weekend. But as soon as they get behind the wheel the fun stops and the racing starts - you wouldn’t believe how competitive they are! They all want to win!"
Drivers taking part include:
Seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher
Honda Formula One star Jenson Button
Formula One Red Bull Racing’s David Coulthard
Reigning World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx
Renault Formula One star Heikki Kovalainen
Four-time Champ Car Champion Sébastien Bourdais
Seven-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen
Double DTM Champion Mattias Ekström
Reigning NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson
Formula One Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel
Eight-time X-Games Champion Travis Pastrana
Double World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm
Former British Rally Champion, Alister McRae
Do not miss this incredible sporting contest on Sunday 16 December 2007. Tickets are on sale now through www.raceofchampions.com
Notes to editors
The ROC was created in 1988 by Fredrik Johnsson and the world’s best woman rally driver Michèle Mouton.
The premise is simple: using identical equipment and track, drivers can prove themselves based on 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 awarded 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 2006 was broadcast in over 200 countries and watched by more than 186 million viewers.
The Race of Champions: winners
2006, Mattias Ekström
2005, Sébastien Loeb
2004, Heikki Kovalainen
2003, Sébastien Loeb
2002, Marcus Grönholm
2001, Harri Rovanperä
2000, Tommi Mäkinnen
1999, Didier Auriol
1998, Colin McRae
1997, Carlos Sainz
1996, Didier Auriol
1995, Francois Delecour
1994, Didier Auriol
1993, Didier Auriol
1992, Andrea Aghini
1991, Juha Kankkunen
1990, Stig Blomqvist
1989, Stig Blomqvist
1988, Juha Kankkunen
The ROC Nations Cup: winners*
2006, Finland: Heikki Kovalainen, Marcus Grönholm
2005, Scandanavia: Tom Kristensen, Mattias Ekström
2004, France: Sébastien Loeb, Jean Alesi
2003, All Stars, Cristiano Da Matta, Giles Panizzi, Fonsi Nieto
2002, USA: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Colin Edwards
2001, Spain, Jesus Puras, Fernando Alonso, Ruben Xaus
2000, France: Gilles Panizzi, Yvan Muller, Regis Laconi
1999, Finland: Tommi Mäkinen, JJ Lehto, Kari Tiainen
* The Nations Cup was first introduced into The Race of Champions line-up in 1999
