The Race of Champions is scheduled to return to its new home at London's Wembley Stadium on December 14th. For those unfamiliar, the annual event pits a host of the best racing drivers in the world against each other on carefully-calibrated equal terms. The event is split between the solo competition and the nations' cup, the latter in which countries send their two best drivers to claim the honors for their homeland.
Last year's event saw DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom defeat Schumacher in the final rounds, after the two (pictured at right) made minced meat out of the rest of the field in a variety of vehicles including the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24, Ford Focus RS WRC, Fiat Grande Punto S2000 Abarth, an Opel/Vauxhall-based Solution F touring car and a purpose-built sprint car. This year retired seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher is set to return, teaming up with rookie driver Sebastian Vettel again for Team Germany. So far only Schumacher and Vettel have confirmed their participation for 2008 – last year Travis Pastrana valiantly held down the fort for Team USA on his own – but more are sure to join as the date approaches. Stay tuned.
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Zane @ Jul 2nd 2008 7:39PM
Team USA, if you're reading this, I'm available. Some guys in the SCCA autox series call me a boy wonder.. just saying, you know.
Owen @ Jul 3rd 2008 2:30AM
You know they have corners in racetracks in Europe.
I think that's why they have so much trouble sourcing American drivers.
4agze @ Jul 2nd 2008 8:18PM
he got nothing to do why not
Kitko @ Jul 2nd 2008 10:18PM
As much as I ... ehm, don't like this guy, I think he's absolutely the best driver on four wheels the world has ever seen. On BOTH sides of Atlantic :-) Any other ocean for that matter.
Jon B @ Jul 2nd 2008 11:01PM
Scott Speed and Jeff Gordon for Team USA. Scott Speed use to be amazing in carts growing up and Jeff because I'd like to see what he can do in a light-weight car on a autocross type circuit.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:09AM
You mean like win the Nations Cup portion? Like he did in 2002?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_of_Champions
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 3rd 2008 1:16AM
The event is far from carefully calibrated.
In the past (2003 I think), one of the two Ferraris' frames was bent in the middle after a driver drove it over the center bridge too fast. The gearbox was also pretty messed up. The winner of those races was basically determined by the coin flip and who got the car that wasn't broken.
It's strictly a paid appearance event, so the drivers don't seem to get too excited if they don't win.
Ovidiu Miron @ Jul 3rd 2008 5:13AM
I'll stay tuned!
On December 14th will be a great show! This annual event is a real gift that we receive from this big champions!
Claiming the honors for their homeland is a fantastic stimulus for this people.
pmiddle5 @ Jul 3rd 2008 11:36AM
This is the best environment for Schumacher. Separate lanes ensures he does not cross into the others lane punting them off the road or him parking his car blocking their route. Genious! Its been made Schumacher proof!
kenshinxl @ Jul 3rd 2008 12:41PM
Even with separate lanes, it didn't stop this from happening last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4U9S7qNKSM
Emily @ Jul 4th 2008 4:11AM
I must have imagined it when I saw Jimmie Johnson racing last year then. It was actually 2006 when Travis pulled an absolute blinder.
If you want team USA to do well, you should let Travis do it on his own again. He's beaten Vettel and Coulthard, and that isn't any easy task.
I guess I'll just have to take another trip to Wembley to watch it again this year...
love from the UK