The ROC (Race of Champions) was created in 1988 by Fredrik Johnsson and the world’s best woman rally driver Michele 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 year the ROC will take place in the Wembley Stadium that transformed into a tarmac race track.
The Ford Focus WRC with Marcus Grönholm at the wheel, will be competing shortly after the championship’s final round, in which Grönholm hopes to emerge victorious.
The Aston Martin Vantage N24 will be the second event that will feature, amongst other drivers, David Coulthard, Jenson Button and Tom Kristensen.
ROC Press Release:
Champion cars and drivers for ROC
With The Race of Champions (ROC) full of star names, the cars needed to be worthy of the incredible line-up so organisers are today delighted to confirm two of the biggest names in motorsport.
Both Ford, the 2007 World Rally Manufacturer champions, and Aston Martin will be at the December 16 event, which will see Wembley Stadium transformed into a tarmac race track.
The ROC drivers, including Ford’s own
Marcus Grönholm, will be competing in the actual Ford Focus WRC car shortly after the championship’s final round, in which Grönholm hopes to emerge victorious.
Director of Ford Team RS, Jost Capito said it was fitting that The ROC cars, as well as the drivers, should be proven winners. “We’re already manufacturer champions this year and it only remains to put all our weight behind Marcus for the drivers title,” he said.
“It can sometimes be difficult to do justice to the skill and bravery required in rally, because the course is so long. The Race of Champions gives us a chance to show-case Marcus and the car in front of all our fans. I’m sure it will be an incredible day.”
As well as the Ford Focus WRC car The ROC contestants, including David Coulthard, Jenson Button and Tom Kristensen, will again be put to the test in the Aston Martin Vantage N24.
The spectacular car, which is a variant of the V8 Vantage developed by Aston Martin for the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race, caused a storm at The Race of Champions 2006, producing some of the most thrilling action.
“We are delighted to once again have such prestigious and exciting cars in The ROC line-up,” said Fredrik Johnsson, President of event organizer’s IMP. “On top of the race-prepared Aston Martins and the World Rally Championship-winning Ford, we expect to announce more spectacular cars in the coming weeks.
“Of course, there will also be the ROC Cars that are so popular with the drivers and spectators. With its six speed sequential gearbox, great horsepower to weight ratio (175 bhp for less than 400 kgs) and superb handling the completely neutral ROC Cars are perfect for the decisive heats which can get pretty intense!”
The ROC promises to provide a spectacular winter fix for the 80,000 expected racing fans, with drivers from Formula 1, World Touring Cars, NASCAR and Sports Car competing in a champion of champions decider.
