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ROC at Wembley

The Race of Champions 1/8 finals

Media information: 16 December 2007

Racing for The Race of Champions 2007 began this afternoon with Michael Schumacher amongst the eight drivers securing their places in the quarter finals. Fellow German Sebastian Vettel’s title hopes were ended by Heikki Kovalainen as was newly-retiree Markus Grönholm, beaten by USA’s Travis Pastrana.

Driver reactions from today’s The Race of Champions 1/8-finals:

Seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher
“It’s not getting any easier but it was ok!”

Five-time Norwegian Rally Champion, Henning Solberg
“There was no shame in losing to Michael at all. I’ve just tried my best as I have no experience in these cars. The day has been fantastic and I hope to come back.”

Formula One star Jenson Button
“I had a bit of a moment in the wall but apart from that it was quite good fun. The clutch was slipping. I’m pretty excited about my chances but I don’t know who I’m up against and what I’m driving so we’ll have to see.”

1995 British Rally Champion Alister McRae
“My first lap was pretty good but I got a bit of understeer and touched the wall. I pushed too hard to make up time, if you make one mistake then that’s it with guys like these. I’ve never raced against an F1 driver before, it’s been great but it would have been nice to go a bit further… but everybody wants to do the same.”

Two-time and reigning NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson
“I missed my breaking point before the tunnel, I understeered and this mistake made me loose the race even though I was ahead. Not a good day for me but maybe see you next year!”

Four-time Champ Car Champion Sébastien Bourdais
“I was behind on the first lap, it was really close but Jimmie made a mistake in the second lap. These cars are hard to drive on the track; it’s too narrow for their power.”

2003 World Rally Champion, Petter Solberg
“Everyone here today is a very good driver. Everyone enjoys and has good fun. It’s different to guess in this game, to choose one who will win. We just have to wait and see. It’s good fun!”

Red Bull Racing’s David Coulthard
“I’m a bit rusty; it’s only my second race today. I’m hopping for the buggie in the next round because I have more experience with it. I didn’t do so well in the Abarth earlier today.”

McLaren F1’s Heikki Kovalainen
“I’m really happy because I got my revenge on Vettel after Sebastian beat me in the Nations Cup. He’s a really quick and a great opponent. I had to drive hard to beat him!”

Scuderia Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel
“It was definitely very close between Heikki and me but on two or three corners I skidded too much and this race doesn’t allow for any mistakes.”

Triple and reigning World Touring Car Champion, Andy Priaulx
“I enjoyed winning that one! I didn’t see him but apparently he was quite close. The cars are just completely different from one to another but I’m just really happy with that one.”

World Touring Car Championship star Yvan Muller
“I wasn’t close enough; that is the story of the season. Racing in front of the crowd is nice. I did it at the Stade de France last year and I enjoyed it but unfortunately I didn’t get to drive enough this year.”

Two-time DTM Champion Mattias Ekström
“It’s not great to beat my Audi team-mate but if you want to go to the final you have to start somewhere!”

Seven-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen
“I was pretty close but he was in front after the first lap and it stayed that way. We made a deal before, the winner between us has to go all the way. None of us want to lose to another team. Now he has to go all the way and I support him.”

Double World Rally Champion, Marcus Grönholm
“I don’t have any regrets, I was really too far away from him straight away… I really don’t have any luck on this type of track!”

Eight-time X-Games Champion Travis Pastrana
“I’m sorry for Marcus as this was the last race of his career… I ended his career! I love the buggie; I could beat anyone with this car!”

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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