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ROC at Wembley

The Race of Champions returns to Wembley

The Race of Champions returns to Wembley
The Race of Champions returns to Wembley

  • Schumacher signs up to take on world's best racers
  • Tickets available for less than £15 if booked before 31 July
  • Family of four can attend for less than £50

The battle to decide the world's fastest motorsport star will take place at Wembley Stadium this December, when The 2008 Race Of Champions returns for its second successive year.

Wembley's pitch will be covered in almost 2,000 tonnes of tarmac to create a purpose-built circuit for the event, which takes place on Sunday 14 December and allows Formula 1 racers to compete against rivals from the worlds of rallying, touring cars, NASCAR and even motorbike racing – all on equal terms, in identical cars, in front of a crowd of thousands.

And, with prices reduced from last year and a further 20% off adult tickets for those who book before 31 July, it now costs as little as £14.40 for a seat at the event. With a 50% discount off the standard price for children aged under 15, a family of four can now watch the event for less than £50.

After being narrowly beaten by DTM Champion Mattias Ekström in last year's Race Of Champions final, seven-times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher has thrown down the gauntlet to past and present motorsport stars by having signed up to return and fight for the chance to be crowned « The Champion of Champions ».

« The great thing about The Race of Champions is that whether you win or lose it's a lot of fun – all the drivers really enjoy themselves and, because they're so close to the action, the crowd love it too », said Schumacher who, although missing out on the overall title, helped Germany to win The ROC Nations Cup with compatriot F1 racer Sebastian Vettel. The two racers will both return to defend their title in 2008.

shumacher_wins_nc2007
Schumacher, together with Sebastian Vettel, led Germany to victory in last year's ROC Nations Cup

« Whatever the result, I'm proud to support ICM, who are dedicated to research on brain and spinal cord disorders. I hope that I can help The Race of Champions' organisers raise awareness and funds for a very important cause », Schumacher continued.

President of event organisers IMP, Fredrik Johnsson, is delighted the event is returning to Wembley after a successful debut in 2007.

« British fans have a great passion for motorsport, and really embraced The Race of Champions when we brought the event to the UK for the first time last year. We looked at proposals from several venues around the world but, as Wembley is such a unique and fantastic venue, plus the fact that we got extremely positive feedback from spectators last December, it was the best choice for 2008.

« Together with Wembley we've tried to improve ticketing this year. With a 50% reduction for children and lowered prices in several ticket categories, the event is even better value for all, especially families. Another thing we've improved is that fans can now choose exactly where they want to sit from the moment they book. »

Wembley Stadium's Managing Director Alex Horne said: « We are delighted to welcome The Race of Champions back to Wembley Stadium for its second year.

"Some of the world's greatest drivers lined up in The Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium last year and this December we look forward to welcoming many of them back, along with a few new faces too.

"The Race of Champions is a truly thrilling spectacle and we are looking forward to working alongside the ROC team to build on the successes of last year and put on a fantastic event at Wembley Stadium for all fans of motorsport."

Tickets for the event are on sale now from www.raceofchampions.com or by calling 0844 412 1743, with a 20% saving available for purchases made before 31 July. Adult prices start at £14.40 (including 20% discount).

Editors’ Notes

Top photo shows, from left-to-right, The Race of Champions creators Fredrik Johnsson and Michele Mouton, with KTM’s Manfred Wolf. Photos are available 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 event will take place in Wembley Stadium on Sunday 14 December, on a specially constructed asphalt circuit.

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:

  • Eight-times Le Mans 24 Hour Winner Tom Kristensen (Team Scandinavia)
  • Seven-times F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher (Team Germany)
  • Four-times World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb (Team France)
  • Triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx (Team Autosport Great Britain)
  • Double Superbike World Champion Troy Bayliss (Team Australia)
  • Double DTM Champion and two-times Race of Champions winner Mattias Ekström (Team Scandinavia)
  • Honda Racing F1 Team race winner Jenson Button (Team Autosport Great Britain)
  • Red Bull Racing F1's Mark Webber (Team Australia)
  • Toro Rosso F1 racer Sebastian Vettel (Team Germany)

IMP, Les Caravelles, 25 Boulevard Albert 1er, MC 98000, MONACO
For media enquiries call +44(0)208 5413434 or email andyb@peformancepr.com or paul@performancepr.com
For general enquiries call +377 97 97 22 88 or email info@raceofchampions.com