The Race of Champions is an international motorsport event held at the end of each year, featuring some of the world's best racing and rally drivers. It is the only competition in the world where stars from Formula One, World Rally Championship, NASCAR, sportscars and touring cars compete against each other, going head-to-head in identical cars.
The race was first organised in 1988 by former rally driver Michèle Mouton and Fredrik Johnsson, IMP (International Media Productions) President. Originally the event was a competition between the world's best rally drivers, but has since expanded to include top competitors from most of the world's premier motorsport disciplines, including motorcycle racing.
The top individual overall in The Race of Champions is given the title "Champion of Champions", and receives the Henri Toivonen Memorial trophy, but within the event there is also a competition for individual countries.
The ROC Nations' Cup was added in 1999 and now features teams of two drivers who compete for their country in a head-to-head, best-of-three knockout event.
The event has taken place in several venues, but most recently has been held in major sporting stadia. After three years based at the Stade de France in Paris, the event moved to the new Wembley Stadium in London in 2007. Wembley was confirmed as the host for the 2008 event, which took place on Sunday 14 December. After feedback from fans following the 2007 event, organisers reduced ticket prices for the event. However, Wembley was dropped as venue, and it moved to the Beijing National Stadium for the 2009 event.
For the first time in 2008 the race was broadcast live in Vision on the Internet by Freecaster.tv using Bruce Jones and John Hindhaugh from Radio Le Mans as the commentary team.
Read more about Race Of Champions: Overview, Winners, Total Wins
Famous quotes containing the words race of, race and/or champions:
“Let me live in my house by the side of the road—
It’s here the race of men go by.
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong
Wise, foolish—so am I;”
—Sam Walter Foss (1858–1911)
“Our character is not so much the product of race and heredity as of those circumstances by which nature forms our habits, by which we are nurtured and live.”
—Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 B.C.)
“Did all the lets and bars appear
To every just or larger end,
Whence should come the trust and cheer?
Youth must its ignorant impulse lend—
Age finds place in the rear.
All wars are boyish, and are fought by boys,
The champions and enthusiasts of the state:”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)