Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Watch the 2012 Race of Champions live at 7:00 PM EST! [UPDATE]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/16/watch-the-2012-race-of-champions-live-at-7-00-pm-est/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/16/watch-the-2012-race-of-champions-live-at-7-00-pm-est/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/16/watch-the-2012-race-of-champions-live-at-7-00-pm-est/#commentsFiled under: , ,



As you may already know, the annual Race of Champions is taking place in Thailand this weekend. Yesterday, Germany was awarded the Nations Cup after Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher defeated Romain Grosjean and Sebastien Ogier of France in the final round.

Today, the ROC will crown the so-called Champion of Champions - one individual overall winner for 2012.

Want to see it happen, live and in living color? You're in luck. Right at 7:00 PM EST, the live stream above will come on the air for those of us living in the United States. Get your popcorn ready!

UPDATE: The race is over. Scroll down below to find out who won.

Continue reading Watch the 2012 Race of Champions live at 7:00 PM EST! [UPDATE]

Watch the 2012 Race of Champions live at 7:00 PM EST! [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Dec 2012 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 race of championsliverace of championsrace of champions liveSun, 16 Dec 2012 18:50:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20404318/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/16/watch-the-2012-race-of-champions-live-at-7-00-pm-est/20404318/article-detail.xml 20404318 <![CDATA[Vettel and Schumacher win 2012 Race of Champions Nations Cup for Germany, again]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/16/vettel-and-schumacher-win-race-of-champions-nations-cup-for-germ/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/16/vettel-and-schumacher-win-race-of-champions-nations-cup-for-germ/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/16/vettel-and-schumacher-win-race-of-champions-nations-cup-for-germ/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Race of Champions Germany 2012

With so many different cars, competitions, rulebooks and drivers gunning for wins each weekend in various racing events all across the world, how do you go about crowning the best of the best? Put more simply, Who is the best racing driver in the world?

No single event or series is ever going to answer that question properly, but the annual Race of Champions at least does a good job of choosing the most talented drivers in their respective disciplines and lining them up against each other and the clock.

There are actually two winners, one country and one driver. Yesterday, Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher defeated Romain Grosjean and Sebastien Ogier to take the Nations Cup to Germany for the sixth year in a row. Want to see how it all went down? Scroll down for two videos, one short recap and one full three-hour-long version.

Come back later today at 7:00 PM EST to see who's crowned the Champion of Champions during individual events!

Continue reading Vettel and Schumacher win 2012 Race of Champions Nations Cup for Germany, again

Vettel and Schumacher win 2012 Race of Champions Nations Cup for Germany, again originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Dec 2012 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 race of championsgermanymichael schumachernations cuprace of championssebastian vettelSun, 16 Dec 2012 09:56:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20404321/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/16/vettel-and-schumacher-win-race-of-champions-nations-cup-for-germ/20404321/article-detail.xml 20404321 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/roc-germany-2012_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/roc-germany-2012.jpg <![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: 2011 Race of Champions returns to Düsseldorf [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/06/spoiler-alert-2011-race-of-champions-returns-to-dusseldorf-w-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/06/spoiler-alert-2011-race-of-champions-returns-to-dusseldorf-w-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/06/spoiler-alert-2011-race-of-champions-returns-to-dusseldorf-w-v/#commentsFiled under:



Eighteen of the world's top drivers returned this past weekend to Düsseldorf's ESPRIT Arena to contest this year's 2011 Race of Champions. Up for grabs was glory for each driver's native land in the ROC Nation's Cup on Saturday, as well as individual glory and the title Champion of Champions in Sunday's elimination competition.

The races are held on the 1.2-kilometer ROC parallel track assembled within the confines of ESPRIT Arena, and this year's crop of vehicles with which to compete included the Audi R8 LMS, Skoda Fabia Super 2000, VW Scirocco, KTM X-Bow, RX150 rallycross buggy, ROC single- and two-seat buggies, and, according to RoC's website, a Chevrolet-powered NASCAR Car of Tomorrow race car.

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: 2011 Race of Champions returns to Düsseldorf [w/video]

SPOILER ALERT: 2011 Race of Champions returns to Düsseldorf [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 race of championschampion of championsgermanymichael schumachernordicrace of championssebastien ogiertom kristensenTue, 06 Dec 2011 15:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20121964/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/06/spoiler-alert-2011-race-of-champions-returns-to-dusseldorf-w-v/20121964/article-detail.xml 20121964 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/00-2011-race-of-champions-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/00-2011-race-of-champions-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Race of Champions keeps lining up the talent]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/race-of-champions-keeps-lining-up-the-talent/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/race-of-champions-keeps-lining-up-the-talent/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/race-of-champions-keeps-lining-up-the-talent/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2010 Race of Champions

Who's the best driver in the world? Hard to say when everyone's driving on different machinery in different series... That's what the annual Race of Champions is all about.

The year-end event consistently brings a crop of the top talents from around the racing world to one place where they square off against each other on common, yet varied equipment. And this year's is already shaping up to be one heck of a showdown.

In addition to showboating American hot-shoe Travis Pastrana, the line-up for this year's event has got champions from all kinds of racing disciplines: newly-crowned DTM champ Martin Tomczyk, his rival and two-time champion Mattias Ekstrom, current WRC title contender Sebastien Ogier, reigning GP2 champ Romain Grosjean, three-time WTCC dominator Andy Priaulx and three of F1's top talents: reigning two-time champion Sebastian Vettel, his chief rival (and former champion) Jenson Button and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.

Last year saw the relatively obscure Felipe Albuquerque - who until then had only won races in A1GP and Italy's Superstars Series - defeat the venerable champions, including Ekstrom who's won the RoC three times, while Schumacher and Vettel took the Nations' Cup team category for Germany for the fourth time running. Will this year's pull a new wild card? Tune in for the race on December 3-4 from the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf to find out.

Race of Champions keeps lining up the talent originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>race of championsrocWed, 26 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20088713/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/26/race-of-champions-keeps-lining-up-the-talent/20088713/article-detail.xml 20088713 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/roc-drivers_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/roc-drivers.jpg <![CDATA[Travis Pastrana signs up for 2011 Race of Champions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/travis-pastrana-signs-up-for-2011-race-of-champions/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/travis-pastrana-signs-up-for-2011-race-of-champions/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/travis-pastrana-signs-up-for-2011-race-of-champions/#commentsFiled under: ,



Six drivers have been added to the roster of the 2011 Race of Champions, the latest being Travis Pastrana. The Red Bull team rider and driver tore up his ankle at this summer's X-Games and hasn't competed since, but expects to be ready come the RoC weekend December 3-4 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

It will be Pastrana's sixth time in RoC competition, his first being way back in 2003, and the fear of injury shouldn't hamper his chances: he had his second-best finish in 2005, reaching the semi-finals of the RoC, just after breaking his leg during motorcycle stunt practice in Paris.

Last year Pastrana was paired with Carl Edwards for Team USA in The Nations Cup, and they were knocked out early. His teammate this year hasn't been announced, but the Team USA coordinator said he's looking for another NASCAR driver that's not contesting the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Whoever it is, so far they'll be going up against hotshoes called Scumacher, Vettel, Button, Priaulx and Ekstrom.

Travis Pastrana signs up for 2011 Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 race of championsrace of championsrace of champions 2011team usatravis pastranaTue, 18 Oct 2011 18:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20082981/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/18/travis-pastrana-signs-up-for-2011-race-of-champions/20082981/article-detail.xml 20082981 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/travispastranaroc11_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/travispastranaroc11.jpg <![CDATA[Race of Champions coming to a smartphone near you]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/race-of-champions-coming-to-a-smartphone-near-you/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/race-of-champions-coming-to-a-smartphone-near-you/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/race-of-champions-coming-to-a-smartphone-near-you/#commentsFiled under: ,

Race of Champions smartphone game screenshot

Not everyone can compete in the Race of Champions. You have to be, you know, an actual champion of something. (That something being a professional racing series of some sort.) But us ordinary Joes can do the next best thing: pretend like we're champions while playing with our smartphones.

The organizers of the annual event, which brings a wide variety of racing talent together each year for head-to-head competition, is launching its own video game for iOS and Android devices. The game features various track layouts from past runnings of the RoC, and benefits from the input of professional racing drivers like rally veteran Michele Moutan and endurance and rally champion Marc Duez.

It's being developed by Hungarian studio Invictus, and is set to launch in app stores online later in October ahead of this year's race scheduled for December 3-4 in Düsseldorf. Organizers have also recently announced that 2009 Formula One world champion Jenson Button, WTCC vet Andy Priaulx and DTM champ Mattias Ekstrom have signed on to join Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher for the event, and that the 270-horsepower Skoda Fabia S2000 rally car will one of the cars they'll be driving there come December.

Continue reading Race of Champions coming to a smartphone near you

Race of Champions coming to a smartphone near you originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgameinvictusiosiphonerace of championsracing gamerocsmartphonevideo gameWed, 28 Sep 2011 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20067365/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/28/race-of-champions-coming-to-a-smartphone-near-you/20067365/article-detail.xml 20067365 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/webraceofchampionsscreenshot_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/webraceofchampionsscreenshot.jpg <![CDATA[Race of Champions heading back to Düsseldorf]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/05/race-of-champions-heading-back-to-dusseldorf/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/05/race-of-champions-heading-back-to-dusseldorf/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/05/race-of-champions-heading-back-to-dusseldorf/#commentsFiled under:

2010 Race of Champions
2010 Race of Champions - Click above for high-res image gallery

"Mann tracht und Gott lacht," goes the old Yiddish proverb - "Man plans and God laughs." Which could have just as well been the motto for this year's Race of Champions.

The traditional end-of-season shootout between racing's top drivers from various motorsport disciplines was set to change venues this year for the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, but after a scheduling conflict arose with the local soccer team, organizers were forced to scrap their plans and find a different location.

The solution? Heading back to Düsseldorf where the race was held last year. The ESPRIT arena's experience in hosting the event and its relative proximity to the Frankfurt location undoubtedly proved major factors in the decision, as organizers hope to retain existing ticket-holders.

So far, only Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel - four-time winners of the paired Nations Cup - have confirmed their participation, but with the race scheduled for December, there's plenty of time to bring in the rest of the talent. Last year's race featured such names as Alain Prost, Sebastien Loeb, Tanner Fourst and Travis Pastrana, along with Schumacher and Vettel and many others. Follow the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Race of Champions heading back to Düsseldorf

Race of Champions heading back to Düsseldorf originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>düsseldorfdusseldorfesprit arenarace of championsrocTue, 05 Jul 2011 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19982381/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/05/race-of-champions-heading-back-to-dusseldorf/19982381/article-detail.xml 19982381 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/02-2010-roc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/02-2010-roc.jpg <![CDATA[Race of Champions forced to change venue]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/race-of-champions-forced-to-change-venue/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/race-of-champions-forced-to-change-venue/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/22/race-of-champions-forced-to-change-venue/#commentsFiled under: ,

2010 Race of Champions
2010 Race of Champions - Click above for high-res image gallery

Over the course of its three decades of history, the Race of Champions has been held in various locations around the world. Following over a decade in the Canary Islands, the annual event was held for three years at the Stade de France, then two years at London's Wembley Stadium before moving to Beijing and on to Düsseldorf, Germany, last year.

This year's race was scheduled to take place at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, but a change in the venue's soccer calendar has forced the race to change locations. The team that plays its home games at the stadium was relegated to the Bundesliga (union football league) second division, resulting in a scheduling conflict for both the race's primary and back-up dates.

Event organizers have yet to announce a new location, however they've indicated that the race will still take place somewhere in Germany, whose four-time Nations' Cup defending champions Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel - F1 champs both - are both confirmed to follow the race wherever it goes. Follow the jump for the official announcement, and stay tuned for details of the new venue.

Continue reading Race of Champions forced to change venue

Race of Champions forced to change venue originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commerzbankcommerzbank arenacommerzbank-arenafrankfurtrace of championsrocWed, 22 Jun 2011 07:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19972542/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/22/race-of-champions-forced-to-change-venue/19972542/article-detail.xml 19972542 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/03-2010-roc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/03-2010-roc.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Race of Champions heading to Frankfurt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/16/2011-race-of-champions-heading-to-frankfurt/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/16/2011-race-of-champions-heading-to-frankfurt/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/16/2011-race-of-champions-heading-to-frankfurt/#commentsFiled under: ,

Michael Schumahcer and Sebastian Vettel at the 2010 Race of Champions

Every year, the Race of Champions brings the best and brightest from all disciplines of motor racing together for one winner-takes-all blitzkrieg. Last year's event was hosted in Dusseldorf, and in 2011, the season-closer will once again return to Germany.

The spectacle is scheduled for December 3-4 at Frankfurt's Commerzbank Arena, an enormous, 50,000-seat venue that hosted soccer's World Cup in 2006. (The side-by-side track setup required for the RoC will likely reduce that capacity some.)

The first drivers to sign on at this early juncture are Germany's own Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher - the most recent and most successful Formula One World Champions, respectively. Although neither has won the individual event, the pair have taken the Nations Cup together the last four years running, and will defend their country's glory once again in front of a home crowd. Official announcement after the jump.

[Source: Race of Champions]

Continue reading 2011 Race of Champions heading to Frankfurt

2011 Race of Champions heading to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Apr 2011 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 race of championsmichael schumacherrace of championsrocschumachersebastian vettelvettelSat, 16 Apr 2011 14:06:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19912811/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/16/2011-race-of-champions-heading-to-frankfurt/19912811/article-detail.xml 19912811 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/schu-vet-roc2010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/schu-vet-roc2010.jpg <![CDATA[Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don't]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/spoiler-alert-race-of-champions-goes-the-distance-plenty-of-ch/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/spoiler-alert-race-of-champions-goes-the-distance-plenty-of-ch/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/spoiler-alert-race-of-champions-goes-the-distance-plenty-of-ch/#commentsFiled under: ,

2010 Race of Champions
2010 Race of Champions - click above for high-res image gallery

Düsseldorf's Esprit Arena hosted this year's Race of Champions, making it the first time the event has been held in Germany and the first time it's been held indoors. The 1.2 kilometer track, consisting of an outside and an inside loop, would play host to one of the finest collections of motorsport champions ever assembled: Formula One World Champions Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, 500cc motorcycle World Champion Mick Doohan, Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx and British Touring Car champ Jason Plato. However, it was a rookie from a country not known for its motorsports that took the fight to all of them and walked away with the belt. Make the jump for our detailed recap.


Gallery: 2010 Race of Champions

Continue reading Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don't

Spoiler Alert: Race of Champions goes the distance, plenty of champions don't originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>albuquerquedusseldorffeaturedfilipe albuquerqueloebmichael schumacherparentspastranaplatoPriaulxrace of championsrace of champions 2010sebastian vettelsebastien loebtanner fousttravis pastranavettelx-bowMon, 29 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19737201/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/29/spoiler-alert-race-of-champions-goes-the-distance-plenty-of-ch/19737201/article-detail.xml 19737201 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/01-2010-roc-630op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/01-2010-roc-630op.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Kovalainen slides out of control Audi R8 GT at ROC]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/video-kovalainen-slides-out-of-control-audi-r8-gt-at-roc/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/video-kovalainen-slides-out-of-control-audi-r8-gt-at-roc/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/29/video-kovalainen-slides-out-of-control-audi-r8-gt-at-roc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Race of Champions
Heikki Kovalainen crashes out at the 2010 Race of Champions - Click above to watch video after the jump

The Race of Champions saw more action than usual this past weekend. In the very first round, Heikki Kovalainen managed to stuff his Audi R8 GT into the wall while going head to head against Sebastien Loeb. Kovalainen clipped the inside barrier that separates the two tracks before spinning into a concrete wall, destroying his racer's suspension and knocking himself unconscious in the process. Kovalainen said that a sticking throttle was the cause of the accident in his Twitter feed, though the video also looks like he simply got too close to the inside barrier.

Fortunately, Kovalainen was not seriously injured during the bang-up. Likewise, his girlfriend, who was riding in the vehicle at the time, walked away from the incident without so much as a scuff as well.

SPOILER ALERT: Loeb went on to make his way all the way to the finals, but fell to Felipe Albuquerque at the last second. Hit the jump to see Kovalainen's spectacular crash.

[Sources: 99op, Yahoo]

Continue reading Video: Kovalainen slides out of control Audi R8 GT at ROC

Video: Kovalainen slides out of control Audi R8 GT at ROC originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010heikki kovalainenheikki kovalainen crashkovalainenrace of championsrace of champions 2010race of champions crashsebastien loebvideoMon, 29 Nov 2010 10:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19736236/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/11/29/video-kovalainen-slides-out-of-control-audi-r8-gt-at-roc/19736236/article-detail.xml 19736236 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/race-of-champions_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/race-of-champions.jpg <![CDATA[Carl Edwards, Travis Pastrana will represent U.S. at Race of Champions [w/Video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/17/carl-edwards-travis-pastrana-will-represent-u-s-at-race-of-cha/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/17/carl-edwards-travis-pastrana-will-represent-u-s-at-race-of-cha/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/17/carl-edwards-travis-pastrana-will-represent-u-s-at-race-of-cha/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Race of Champions 2010 - Travis Pastrana and Carl Edwards
Carl Edwards and Travis Pastrana represent US at ROC 2010 - Click above to watch video after the jump

The 2010 Race of Champions, a motorsports event with global intrigue, is scheduled for November 27-28 and will be held at the ESPRIT arena in Düsseldorf, Germany. There are currently eight confirmed drivers gunning to be the number one worldwide wheelman.

Representing the United States will be 2007 NASCAR Champion Carl Edwards and 11-time X-Games Gold Medalist Travis Pastrana. Edwards ran in the 2008 ROC event along with Tanner Foust, who replaced Patrana after the rally-racer broke his hip a week prior to the event. Pastrana has competed in the Race of Champions as far back as 2005, including a stint in 2006 where he drove every round for the Stars and Stripes. Both Jimmie Johnson and Scott Speed were injured that year with no replacements lined up. Pastrana still managed to come in second that year.

The Race of Champions was started back in 1988 by rally extraordinaire Michèle Mouton and IMP president Frederik Johnsson. The goal was to find out who was the best rally driver, but the competition has expanded to allow competitors from all types of motorsport disciplines. In addition to Pastrana and Edwards, we know that Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, Sébastien Loeb, Sebastian Vettel, Tom Kristensen and Andy Priaulx are all confirmed for the 2010 ROC.

Mark the date on your calendars now because that lineup (plus more drivers to be announced) is sure to provide plenty of breathtaking displays of driving precision, and hit the jump for a video.


Gallery: Race of Champions 2009


[Source: ESPN, Race of Champions]

Continue reading Carl Edwards, Travis Pastrana will represent U.S. at Race of Champions [w/Video]

Carl Edwards, Travis Pastrana will represent U.S. at Race of Champions [w/Video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alain prostAndy PriaulxCarl EdwardsDusseldorfEdwardsesprit arenaesprit arena dusseldorfmichael schumacherpastranarace of championsrace of champions 2009race of champions 2010sebastian vettelsebastien loebTom Kristensentravis pastranaFri, 17 Sep 2010 16:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19638054/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/09/17/carl-edwards-travis-pastrana-will-represent-u-s-at-race-of-cha/19638054/article-detail.xml 19638054 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/pastrana-and-edwards-roc-10_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/pastrana-and-edwards-roc-10.jpg <![CDATA[Alain Prost signs on for 2010 Race of Champions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/21/alain-prost-signs-on-for-2010-race-of-champions/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/21/alain-prost-signs-on-for-2010-race-of-champions/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/21/alain-prost-signs-on-for-2010-race-of-champions/#commentsFiled under: , ,



So far, only three drivers are confirmed for the 2010 Race of Champions, but it's already shaping up to be one for the history books. Not only is the year-end, cross-discipline event returning to Germany - the country that has held the Nations Cup title the past three years running - but now one of the most successful racing drivers alive will finally, for the first time in his career, be on hand in a bid for top honors.

The driver in question is one Alain Prost, the four-time Formula One world champion. For the past few years since his retirement, Prost has been competing in the Andros Trophy ice racing series, whose title he won two years running. The Andros calendar, says Prost, usually conflicts with the RoC, an event he's long wished to challenge, but this year there's no overlap. So at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorg this coming November, the Frenchman will be squaring off (amongst others) against Michael Schumacher, the only living driver ever to win more grands prix and F1 titles than himself. This ought to be good. Details in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Race of Champions]

Continue reading Alain Prost signs on for 2010 Race of Champions

Alain Prost signs on for 2010 Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 race of champions2010RaceOfChampionsalain prostAlainProstprostrace of championsrace of champions 2010RaceOfChampionsRaceOfChampions2010rocFri, 21 May 2010 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19484847/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/21/alain-prost-signs-on-for-2010-race-of-champions/19484847/article-detail.xml 19484847 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/prost-androsdus_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/prost-androsdus.jpg <![CDATA[2010 Race of Champions returns to Germany]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/26/2010-race-of-champions-returns-to-germany/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/26/2010-race-of-champions-returns-to-germany/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/26/2010-race-of-champions-returns-to-germany/#commentsFiled under: ,

Michael Schumacher at the 2009 Race of Champions - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every Fall, the Race of Champions stands as the season's final show-down between drivers from a wide variety of motorsport disciplines. But while the last few years have seen DTM champ Mattias Ekstrom and WRC czar Sebastien Loeb alternating for the individual crown, the Nations' Cup has been won the past three years running by the German team of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. Against a backdrop of such international domination, it's little wonder that the event is heading back to Germany this year.

Reach way back into RoC history, and you'll discover that the second running of the event (after the Autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry outside Paris in 1988) was held in Deutschland, at nowhere less vaunted a location than the legendary Nürburgring. Since then, it was held in Barcelona and Madrid before moving to Grand Canary Island for over a decade, then back to the Parisian suburbs at the national Stade de France. The race was then held in London's Wembley Stadium before being contested overseas for the first time at the olympic Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing. This year, however, the season-capping event heads back to Europe.

The 23rd Race of Champions will be contested on November 26-27 at the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, a 50,000-seat soccer venue, at which the necessary tracks will be constructed. Schumacher and Vettel will be back again to defend Germany's honor in the Nations' Cup as well as challenge for the individual title of Champion of Champions less than two weeks after both finish off the Formula One season in Abu Dhabi. Video and press release after the jump.


Gallery: Race of Champions 2009


[Source: Race of Champions]

Continue reading 2010 Race of Champions returns to Germany

2010 Race of Champions returns to Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 race of champions2010RaceOfChampionschampion of championsChampionOfChampionsDüsseldorfdusseldorfespritesprit arenaesprit arena dusseldorfEspritArenaEspritArenaDusseldorfgermanymichael schumacherMichaelSchumachernations cupNationsCuprace of championsRaceOfChampionsrocroc germanyRocGermanyschumachersebastian vettelSebastianVettelvettelMon, 26 Apr 2010 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19453167/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/26/2010-race-of-champions-returns-to-germany/19453167/article-detail.xml 19453167 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/schu-roc-ger_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/schu-roc-ger.jpg <![CDATA[SPOILER ALERT: Champion's Champions Crowned at 2009 Race of Champions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/spoiler-alert-winners-winners-crowned-at-2009-race-of-champion/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/spoiler-alert-winners-winners-crowned-at-2009-race-of-champion/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/spoiler-alert-winners-winners-crowned-at-2009-race-of-champion/#commentsFiled under: ,


2009 Race of Champions - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every year, around the world, drivers compete wheel to wheel in all manner of racing series, from rally to F1, touring cars to Le Mans and everything in between. It gives racing fans plenty of varied action to follow, but it leaves one question ultimately unanswered: who is the world's best driver? That's where the Race of Champions comes in.

The event has been held every year since 1988 at the end of the regular racing season, giving the world's best from all manner of racing series the world over a chance to compete against one another on equal footing and common ground. And this year's Race of Champions was no less decisive. Follow the jump to read who claimed victory as the champion of champions.


Gallery: Race of Champions 2009

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: Champion's Champions Crowned at 2009 Race of Champions

SPOILER ALERT: Champion's Champions Crowned at 2009 Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 race of champions2009RaceOfChampionsbeijingbirds nestBirdsNestchinaekstromfoustgermanymattias ekstromMattiasEkstrommichael schumacherMichaelSchumacherpastranarace of championsrace of champions 2009RaceOfChampionsRaceOfChampions2009rocschumachersebastian vettelSebastianVetteltanner foustTannerFousttravis pastranaTravisPastranavettelWed, 04 Nov 2009 19:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19223557/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/04/spoiler-alert-winners-winners-crowned-at-2009-race-of-champion/19223557/article-detail.xml 19223557 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/roc09_12_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/roc09_12.jpg <![CDATA[2009 Race of Champions heads to Beijing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/2009-race-of-champions-heads-to-beijing/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/2009-race-of-champions-heads-to-beijing/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/2009-race-of-champions-heads-to-beijing/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2008 Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium - Click above for high-res image gallery

Most of this year's major motorsport series are winding to a close. Champions are being crowned. Teams are preparing for next year. You know what that means: it's time for the Race of Champions.

The international event has been held for the past twenty years, and it always offers a real spectacle as some of the world's best drivers compete for top honors. And this year figures to be no different. Held for the first time outside of Europe at the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium in Beijing, the 2009 Race of Champions is set to take place next week, packed with an all-star roster.

Among those taking part this year will be newly-crowned Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, recently retired F1 stalwart David Coulthard and rising star Sebastian Vettel. Although six-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb - who won the RoC last year and twice before that - has apparently opted to sit this one out, perennial runner-up Mikko Hirvonen will be competing, along with Audi's multiple Le Mans winners Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro; touring car champions Andy Priaulx, Mattias Ekstrom, Jamie Whincup and Yvan Muller; Dakar winner Giniel deVilliers, Monegasque single-seat racer Clivio Piccione and Australian bike racer Mick Doohan. And finally, these United States will be represented by two of our very finest showmen, Travis Pastrana and Tanner Foust.

This year, the champions will be competing for bragging rights behind the wheels of such varied machinery as the Ford Focus WRC, Volkswagen Scirocco, KTM X-Bow, Solution F Prototype Opel touring car and three different specially-equipped sprint cars. Tune in on Tuesday, November 3 - just two days after the 2009 Formula One World Championship wraps up in Abu Dhabi - for the results.


Gallery: 2008 Race of Champions


[Source: Race of Champions | Image: Mark Thompson/Getty]

2009 Race of Champions heads to Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michael Schumacher and Tanner Foust at the 2008 Race of Champions

There's our buddy and rally/drift/stunt maestro Tanner Foust (on the right), arm in arm with some guy Michael Schumacher at the 2008 Race of Champions (ROC) held in Wembley Stadium, London. Tanner went as a last minute substitute after Travis Pastrana broke his hip (and ankle) trying to flip a truck. However, in a supposedly backup roll, Foust went on to beat current F1 Champ Jenson Button in front of 80,000 fans before being knocked out of the competition by 2008 ROC runner-up David Coulthard. The 2008 ROC overall winner was none other than Sebastian Loeb.

If you don't know, the Race of Champions was founded in 1988 by former Group B legend Michèle Mouton and is the only race where drivers from different disciplines get the chance to compete against each other in a variety of events utilizing a whole bunch of different cars. The driver skill sets include F1, NASCAR, touring cars, and more recently rally and drift. Last year's cars included everything from a KTM X-Bow to a WRC Ford Focus to special ROC dune buggy. This year should be about the same. 2009 marks a big change for ROC as it leaves jolly old England and heads to China. Bejing specifically and the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium designed by Herzod and de Meuron.

This year both Foust and Pastrana will be representing Old Glory as the sole American competitors. "I'm very honored to receive the re-invite to the Race of Champions," says Foust. "Pastrana will be the perfect teammate. He's good under pressure, undeniably fast and never misses a side bet." In addition to the ROC, Foust will be participating in daily drift events against a "top Chinese drifter." Having done a bit of dorifto with Mr. Foust ourselves, this Chinese cat had better be good. Like, real good. Best of luck to both Tanner and Travis, as they're going to need it against guys like Schumacher and Pirro. The Race of Champions takes place November 3-4.

[Source: Race of Champions]

Tanner Foust headed back to the 2009 Race of Champions, now at Beijing's Bird's Nest originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Race of Champions2009RaceOfChampionsDavid CoulthardDavidCoulthardFoustJenson ButtonJensonButtonMichael SchumacherMichaelSchumacherMichele MoutonMicheleMoutonRace of ChampionsRace of Champions 2009RaceOfChampionsRaceOfChampions2009ROCTannerTanner FoustTannerFoustTravis PastranaTravisPastranaWed, 28 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19212500/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/10/28/tanner-foust-headed-back-to-the-2009-race-of-champions-now-at-b/19212500/article-detail.xml 19212500 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/tannerschu_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/tannerschu.jpg <![CDATA[Red Flag: Race of Champions moves to China]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/red-flag-race-of-champions-moves-to-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/red-flag-race-of-champions-moves-to-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/17/red-flag-race-of-champions-moves-to-china/#commentsFiled under: ,


2008 Race of Champions - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Still think of the Race of Champions as an elitist European event? Think again. Organizers have announced that that the annual face-off is scheduled to head to China this year.

The Race of Champions, for those unfamiliar, is a year-end event in which the top drivers from various motorsport disciplines - including F1, rally, touring cars, Le Mans...even motorbikes, drifting or the occasional NASCAR pretty-boy - compete against each other in a series of heats on varied machinery around a dedicated track built inside a major sports arena. The event crowns two winners: the solo Champion of Champions, and the Nations Cup in which drivers pair up to represent their home countries. After a decade in the Canary Islands, the race was held for three consecutive seasons at the Stade de France before moving to Wembley Stadium for the past two years, but a new arrangement will see this year's race held in Beijing at the Bird's Nest stadium built for last year's Olympic games. Previous champions have been predominantly rally drivers (including three titles for Sebastien Loeb and two for Mattias Ekstrom), while Germany's contingent of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel have taken the national honors. Who will be crowned champion this year? Tune in on November 3-4, only two days after the Formula One season wraps up in Abu Dhabi (assuming they can get the Yas Island circuit ready in time) to find out.

[Source: F1-Live]

Red Flag: Race of Champions moves to China originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery from the 2008 Race of Champions

Yesterday marked the running of the 2008 Race of Champions, an annual event that hosts the world's best drivers from NASCAR, F1, WRCC, LeMans racing and every other legitimate form of four-wheeled competition in the world. The purpose is to race these pilots against each other on an identical track in identical vehicles to find out both which country produces the fastest drivers and which driver is the fastest them of all. This year's arsenal of autos included the KTM X-Bow, Abarth 500 Assetto Corso, 2008 Ford WRC Focus, RX 150 and purpose-built RoC buggy.

Follow the jump for a rundown of the winners and losers as well as video highlights, and check out some great pics of yesterday's action in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2008 Race of Champions

Continue reading SPOILER: 2008 Race of Champions crowns new king among motorsport's best

SPOILER: 2008 Race of Champions crowns new king among motorsport's best originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Waiting for your Sunday to take shape? Well, while you're figuring out your schedule, know that the Race of Champions is streaming live on the web right now. You can tune in to the action from Wembley at Freecaster.tv or over at Autofiends, which is actually at the race and also carrying the Freecaster.tv stream. Go and enjoy.

UPDATE: The Nations Cup has been decided (that's what was running earlier), and the individual championship is what's on deck for 12:30 PM Eastern. We've added the embed code for the stream to this post. Click above to watch it live right here.

[Source: Autofiends]

LIVE: Race of Champions is streaming on the web right now! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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