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ROC at Wembley

Nascar champ Johnson and X-games hero Pastrana challenge world’s best at The Race of Champions

Media information: 17 August 2007

US motorsport champions Jimmie Johnson and Travis Pastrana have both confirmed their attendance for The Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium, UK, this December, which will see the London arena transformed into a tarmac race-track. The event is the only opportunity for the world’s motorsport heroes from many various disciplines to race in exactly the same cars and on a parallel-track.

2006 NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson is coming back as part of Team USA after missing out on last year’s event at the Stade de France in Paris, France due to an injury he sustained only days before the race. Despite his injury the 31-year-old was still there to cheer on team-mate and fellow American Pastrana.

“When Fredrik (Johnsson) and Jim (Hancock) called and extended the invite to race again I jumped at the opportunity. The Race of Champions event is so unique and gives me the opportunity to compete against the best drivers in the world from all forms of racing and in vehicles I normally don't get a chance to drive,” said Johnson who drives for Hendrick Motorsports. “I also like the aspect of representing both NASCAR and the USA, which is very important to me.”

“I love competition, especially against the best. I want to push myself and see where I
stack-up against everyone else and this is a perfect opportunity to do it.“

Eight-time X-Games Champion and 2007 ESPY X-treme sports athlete of the year, Travis Pastrana will also return for a second attempt at the ROC Nations Cup crown after last year saw him finish runner-up to Finland’s Heikki Kovalainen (Renault F1) and Marcus Grönholm (Ford World Rally).

The American motocross star delivered a stunning performance, fighting all the way to the final alone after team-mate Johnson’s replacement, Formula 1’s Scott Speed, also injured himself the day before the event. The 23-year old triumphed against the likes of Formula 1 star David Coulthard and World Rally Champion Colin McRae along the way before losing out to the Finns.

“Last year was such an amazing learning experience for me that I'm really looking forward to this year,” said Pastrana, currently second in the Rally America Championship. “It’s such an honor and privilege to compete against such talented drivers. I think Jimmie and I will be up to the challenge and ready to bring it home for the USA.”

Both drivers are confident they can make up for missing out on last year’s Nations Cup title as well having The Race of Champions 2007 individual title firmly in their sight.

The two champions hold extensive experience in two and four-wheeled racing, which will prove invaluable in adapting to The Race of Champions’ various cars. Johnson started his career in motorcycles, graduating to off-road buggy and truck racing before moving to NASCAR whilst Pastrana’s incredible track record of freestyle motocross prowess now including serious rallying credentials.

“With Jimmie and Travis we will be representing all that is special and exciting about American motorsports,” said Team USA coordinator Jim Hancock. “They possess amazing talents across a whole range of motorsports and that is exactly the kind of experience they will bring to bear to be competitive within the unique format of the Race of Champions and the Nations Cup.  They are gunning for a win and will have a great time in the true spirit of the event celebrating motorsports and the art and craft of driving.”

 

Fredrik Johnsson, President of event organizer’s IMP, said: “A fighting spirit is something we really appreciate at The Race of Champions. Jimmie and Travis are two drivers that have shown time and time again in their careers that they are true fighters and we cannot wait to see them back on-track, together, in London this winter.”

Tickets are available for purchase through www.raceofchampions.com

Editors’ Notes

Copyright-free hi-res photos are available to download at www.raceofchampions.com or by calling Andy Bothwell or Paul Rayner at Performance PR on +44 (0)208 5413434. Alternatively you can E-mail andyb@performancepr.com or paul@performancepr.com.

The Race of Champions was started in 1988 by Fredrik Johnsson and Michèle Mouton, the world’s most successful female rally driver.

The Race Of Champions event on December 14 will be made up of two separate competitions – The ROC Nations Cup and The Race of Champions.

Each competition pits drivers against each other in a head-to-head knockout format, with equal equipment ensuring races are won and lost on talent alone.

The ROC Nations Cup features drivers paired into teams based on their nationality. The teams then fight head-to-head against each other in knockout competition. Last year Team Germany (Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel) beat Team Finland (Marcus Grönholm and Heikki Kovalainen) in the final.

The Race Of Champions is a straightforward knockout competition, where 16 drivers go head-to-head until the champion is decided. In last year’s Final, Mattias Ekström beat Michael Schumacher in the third race of a best-of-three battle.

Already confirmed for The Race of Champions 2008 are:

  • Seven-times F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher (Team Germany)
  • Triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx (Team Autosport Great Britain)
  • Honda Racing F1 Team race winner Jenson Button (Team Autosport Great Britain)
  • Toro Rosso F1 racer Sebastian Vettel (Team Germany)

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