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ROC at Wembley

Bayliss & Webber sign up for the Race of Champions

  • First Australian team confirmed for end-of-season spectacular
  • Double Superbike World Champion signes up to take on Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, Andy Priaulx and more
  • Webber becomes third current F1 star to be announced

Bayliss and Webber will become the first all-Australian team to enter The Race of Champions
Bayliss and Webber will become the first all-Australian team to enter The Race of Champions

The Race of Champions will feature an all-Australian team for the first time when the spectacular event returns to Wembley Stadium on December 14, with Xerox Ducati’s Double Superbike World Champion, Troy Bayliss, partnering Red Bull Racing F1 driver, Mark Webber.

The ‘Duo from Down Under’ will go head-to-head with competitors from the world of Formula 1, World Rally, Le Mans and motorbike racing, as they battle in identical cars on a specially-built circuit inside Wembley Stadium. Names already confirmed include seven-times F1 World Champion, Michael Schumacher, and triple World Touring Car Champion, Andy Priaulx.

Bayliss last entered The Race of Champions when the event took place in Gran Canaria in 2001, when he was part of an All-Star team that reached the finals of The ROC Nations Cup. This will be the first time a Team Australia has been entered, however, and Webber is relishing the challenge.

"I've been watching The Race of Champions for the last few years and have always been really keen to do it, as the concept looks great,” said Webber. “This year I can, so flying the flag for Australia will be loads of fun - especially with a two wheel legend in Troy as my team-mate. I'm sure there will be some laughs on the night for both of us!"

Bayliss gave his all last time he competed in The Race of Champions, in 2001
Bayliss gave his all last time he competed in The Race of Champions, in 2001

Bayliss, who currently leads the Superbike World Championship as it heads to Brands Hatch this weekend, is also looking forward to the chance to fight for his country.

“I am really excited to be part of the Australian team alongside Mark Webber this year at The Race of Champions,” said Bayliss. “It’s the first time there has been an Aussie contingent so we will be looking forward to having a good time there.”

Bayliss isn’t the only bike racer to have tackled the event before – MotoGP stars Valentino Rossi and James Toseland have both competed in the past, while Motocross ace and eight-times X Games Champion Travis Pastrana has fought against – and beaten - many stars from the world of four-wheel racing over the past three years.

Tickets for the event are on sale now by calling 0844 412 1743, or online at www.raceofchampions.com. Adult prices start at £18 with child tickets half as much at £9.

Notes to editors:

The ROC was created in 1988 by Fredrik Johnsson and the world’s best woman rally driver Michèle 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”.

Drivers confirmed for 2007 include:

  • Seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher
  • Formula One star Jenson Button
  • Reigning World Touring Car Champion, Andy Priaulx
  • Red Bull Racing’s David Coulthard
  • Triple Champ Car Champion Sébastien Bourdais
  • Seven-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen
  • Former DTM Champion Mattias Ekström
  • Reigning NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson
  • Eight-time X-Games Champion Travis Pastrana
  • Double World Rally Champion, Marcus Grönholm
  • Renault F1’s Heikki Kovalainen
  • Scuderia Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel
  • 1995 British Rally Champion Alister McRae
  • World Touring Car Championship star Yvan Muller
  • 2003 World Rally Champion, Petter Solberg
  • Five-time Norwegian Rally Champion, Henning Solberg

This traditional end-of-season showdown attracts spectators from across Europe. For three years the event, held at the Stade de France in Paris, has attracted well over 50,000 spectators each year.

Action from the Race of Champions 2006 was broadcast in over 200 countries and watched by more than 186 million viewers.