The ROC Nations Cup

Since its creation in 1999, The ROC Nations Cup has been considered the World Cup of motorsport - wheel to wheel action for national pride. Nine motorsport-mad countries temporarily throw away entente cordiale for the desire to win.

Eight Nations represented by two drivers compete for the title of “The Fastest Nation of the World”.

Germany, Finland, France, Spain and the USA have already taken the trophy in the past. This innovative competition keeps spectators on their toes from start to finish.

History

The concept of using identical cars and parallel track has proven to be not only exciting and decisive means of determining an individual “Champion of Champions”, but is also the ideal format for a national team competition. In 1999, IMP expanded the event to include The ROC Nations Cup which added incredible depth to The Race of Champions and has become a focal point for drivers and fans alike.

In what is effectively a World Cup of motorsport, The ROC Nations Cup is the only opportunity for racers from different countries and disciplines of motorsport to compete head-to-head in equal machinery and on an equal track. Disciplines represented include Formula 1, NASCAR, World Rally, Le Mans, X-Games, IRL, Champ Car, DTM, and European Touring Cars.

Recent form

This year, Michael Schumacher, 7-time F1 World Champion teamed up with and the youngest of all current Formula 1 drivers Sebastian Vettel to help Germany win it's first ROC Nations Cup title. Vettel surprisingly beat Gronholm in the Ford WRC and then Kovalainen in the ROC cars.

In 2006, Finland with Heikki Kovalainen and Marcus Gronholm won Finland's second ROC Nations Cup title after Travis Pastrana heroically took USA to the final after both Nascar Champion Jimmie Johnson and Scott Speed injured themselves just before the event.

In 2005, Team Scandinavia’s Tom Kristensen and Mattias Ekstrom fought and won a close battle with Team PlayStation France.

In 2004, Sebastien Loeb and Jean Alesi won the Nations Cup in front of the enthusiastic homecrowd at Stade de France by beating Finland's Heikki Kovalainen and Marcus Gronholm 3- 2 in the Final.

In 2003, in the Canary Islands, Brazilian F1 star Cristiano da Matta, Spanish bike star Fonzi Nieto and Mitsubishi's French WRC driver, Gilles Panizzi, scored the first ever victory for an international All Stars team, defeating Spain in the final, three heats to two.

In 2002, the USA (represented by 4-time NASCAR Champion Jeff Gordon, Superbike World Champion Colin Edwards and multiple NASCAR winner Jimmie Johnson), defeated Italy to take the title.

In 2001, Spain's Fernando Alonso, Jesus Puras and Ruben Xaus defeated the All Stars' Harri Rovanpera, Troy Bayliss and Tom Kristensen, a particularly sweet victory for the 25 000 Spaniards gathered at the circuit in Gran Canaria.

In 2000, it was France's turn as Regis Laconi, Yvan Muller and Gilles Panizzi defeated Italians Valentino Rossi, Emanuele Pirro and Miki Biasion in the final.

The inaugural event in 1999 was won by the Finnish line-up of Tommi Makinen, JJ. Letho and Kari Tiainen. It was decided in a nail-biting final that saw the Nordic trio beat Spain's Carlos Sainz, Pere Riba and Marc Gene in the last decisive heat.