Autoblog

Americans may be more familiar with the International Race of Champions, IROC for short, due to that race's popularity in the '80s and '90s and for the Chevy Camaros and Dodge Daytonas affixed with the badge. In the rest of the world, though, the more popular series is called the Race of Champions, but the idea is the same. Take top drivers from various racing leagues and pit them in similar cars against each other on a number of different race tracks. This year, the ROC's organizers are testing a bunch of cars to be used for the next event, including the track-ready KTM X-Bow and a wild-sounding contraption that uses twin Suzuki Hayabusa engines driving all four wheels. The actual race will take place in London at Wembley Stadium on December 14 and will feature Tom Kristensen (Team Scandinavia), Michael Schumacher (Team Germany), Sébastien Loeb (Team France), Andy Priaulx (Team Autosport Great Britain), Troy Bayliss (Team Australia), Mattias Ekström (Team Scandinavia), Jenson Button (Team Autosport Great Britain), Mark Webber (Team Australia) and Sebastian Vettel (Team Germany).


[Source: Race of Champions]

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]

click on any image to view high-res gallery

The premise of the Race of Champions is simple: take the best drivers in the world and have them compete on equal terms. Drivers from Formula 1, DTM, WRC and more go head-to-head in the same cars on the same track with personal and national pride at stake. Drivers face off in a trio of different vehicles per round, with the best-of-three winner moving on to the next round. Recent winners include 2004 DTM champion Mattias Ekström, 2004-2006 WRC champ Sebastien Loeb, and Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen. Results from this year's Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium in England can be found after the jump, and plenty of action photos can be viewed in the gallery below.

[Source: Race of Champions]

Though we're sure Ferrari wishes Schumi were returning to the cockpit of one of their racers, he will actually be contesting the Race of Champions this December at the new Wembley Stadium. The now-retired septuple F1 World Champion has done the RoC before, in 2004, when he was beat by current Renault F1 driver Heikki Kovalainen, but he did beat rally driver Sebastian Loeb in a one-up rally heat. After turning Wembley's field into a tarmac track, 18 drivers from F1, Rally, NASCAR, Champ Car, Le Mans, Touring Cars, Dakar Rally Raids, and X-Games riders will compete in one-on-one heats to be declared the Champion of Champions. This year's race will also feature a national shootout between Jenson Button representing England, and David Coulthard racing for Scotland.

[Source: Race of Champions]