THE STARS OF THE SHOW FIND THEIR MARKS
· Draw for RoC quarter-finals: Michael Schumacher in all-F1 clash with Felipe Massa· Friday sees first familiarisation laps at the Stade de France· Casey Mears to stand in for Jeff Gordon in USA team· Some tickets still available
Contact! The drivers due to line-up on Saturday for this year's star-studded Race of Champions - Nations Cup have had their first opportunity to test the spectacular figure-of-eight circuit specially laid out for the circumstance at the Stade de France, Paris.
With the exception of Michael Schumacher and the USA team pair, who arrive on Saturday morning, they all found the 1 km all-tarmac track extremely challenging, and the prospect of competing in the 62,000-capacity stadium uniquely stimulating.
"I think it's going to be a terrific show," enthused 2004 World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb. "It's a great idea to put a track here, in the Stade de France, here in the centre of Paris. The track itself is quite narrow and the cars will slide, which is nice for the spectators. I spent my runs this afternoon getting accustomed to the different cars we will be driving on Saturday. I obviously know the Citroën Xsara WRC, but the controls of the Peugeot 307 WRC are a bit different and the Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge and the ROC Cars are very different altogether. It would be nice to win; I will do my best to win, but the important thing is the show."
The Frenchman's analysis was echoed by all the drivers present in Paris today including Scottish all-rounder Colin McRae: "It's going to be great fun. The track is challenging and it will be important to have a good feeling with the different cars. If it stays dry it shouldn't be too slippery. It's the first time I've ever set foot in the Stade de France. Today the grandstands were empty but in a front of a packed house tomorrow the atmosphere promises to be really great."Friday afternoon's programme also included the all-important draw for the quarter-final heats of the 2004 Race of Champions which kicks off today at 16.30 (until 18.30) before the evening's RoC Nations Cup which runs from 19.00 until 21.00.
Formula 1 superstar Michael Schumacher will go head-to-head with fellow Grand Prix racer Felipe Massa, while Loeb has been drawn against another Brazilian, 2004 Indy Racing League Champion Tony Kanaan. The other heats are Kenny Brack (S) v Sébastien Bourdais (F), David Coulthard (GB) v Heikki Kovalainen (FIN), Jean Alesi (F) v Casey Mears (USA), Marcus Grönholm (FIN) v Stéphane Sarrazin (F), Armin Schwarz (D) v Jimmie Johnson (USA) and Mattias Ekstrom (S) v Colin McRae (GB).
Finally, there has been a last-minute change to the USA team line-up. Quadruple Nascar Champion Jeff Gordon is regrettably unable to compete this weekend due to illness. His place alongside two-times Nascar runner-up Jimmie Johnson will be taken by up-and-coming Nascar star, Casey Mears… A near full-house is expected for today's action but seats with a magnificent panoramic view of the track are still available. Stade de France management recommends that spectators use public transport to get to the venue.
