Global Motorsport IconsTravis Pastrana & David Coulthardjoin ROC New Zealand line-up
Global motor racing and action sports hero Travis Pastrana, and 13-time F1 race winner David Coulthard, announced for ROC New Zealand.
Drivers now confirmed for the inaugural Sydney event include 4x Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, 10x F1 race winner Valtteri Bottas, 13x F1 race winner David Coulthard, action sport legend, Travis Pastrana, Supercars Champions Chaz Mostert, Brodie Kostecki and Will Brown and New Zealand rally star Hayden Paddon.
More superstars from Formula 1, Supercars, Le Mans, Nascar, World Rally & Rally X to be announced in coming weeks.
Hnry Stadium will be transformed into a purpose-built tarmac race track, with drivers competing in identical cars so only driver skill determines the winner.
Tickets from $49NZD now on sale through Ticketek.
Race Of Champions (ROC) today confirmed that motorsport legends Travis Pastrana and David Coulthard will compete at Race Of Champions Wellington on 9 and 10 January 2027, the first time the event has been held in New Zealand.
Thirteen-time Formula One Grand Prix winner and two-time Race Of Champions Champion of Champions David Coulthard returns to ROC, having won his most recent individual title at Riyadh’s King Fahd International Stadium in 2018.
Extreme sports superstar and eight-time Rally Americas Champion Travis Pastrana also returns to ROC, chasing the ROC individual Champion of Champions and ROC Nations Cup titles that have so far eluded him despite coming close many times.
— David Coulthard said he jumped at the chance to compete in New Zealand for the first time with ROC.
“When I heard that the Race Of Champions was going to New Zealand I immediately told some of my colleagues in the F1 paddock that I have to dust off my helmet and get ready to race again! I still enjoy driving as fast and spectacularly as possible, notably when I showcase the Red Bull F1 Car in demo runs around the world. Race Of Champions is such a special event both for us drivers and the fans. ROC reminds all of us that we have been lucky enough to take part in why we first started racing. ROC is pure competition on track and an amazing camaraderie outside the cars. The Race Of Champions Winners Trophy is one of only three trophies that I keep on display at home. The competition is as tough as it gets and everyone wants to win, but once we finish racing the atmosphere is amazing between all us drivers from different series and generations,”
— Travis Pastrana said representing Team USA in Wellington marked a return to New Zealand under very different circumstances.
“When Fredrik invited me to represent Team USA for the Race Of Champions and told me it would be held in Wellington, I was all in for this amazing opportunity! I absolutely love New Zealand and the Race Of Champions! It is an amazing event where so many legends from all of motorsport get together to have fun and compete with vehicles that equal the playing field. I'm determined to get a win at the Race Of Champions before I hang up my boots! This will be my first time in New Zealand since Nitro Circus and my first time competing there on four wheels. The Kiwi fans will love this event!”
— Race Of Champions Co-Founder and President Fredrik Johnsson said the pair’s confirmation adds further star power to the event’s New Zealand debut.
“We are thrilled that Travis and David will join us for the first ever Race Of Champions in New Zealand. This will be a rare opportunity for Kiwi fans to see two of the most legendary characters and strongest competitors in world motorsports. Even in a group with so many exceptional drivers like at ROC, they both truly stand out both on and off the track.”
“DC is a two-time ‘Champion of Champions’ who won his latest individual title in Riyadh’s King Fahd Stadium and Travis, always a crowd favourite, is chasing his first title after coming so close several times. We can’t wait to see them both put on a show in front of what we hope will be a sellout crowd at Hnry Stadium in Wellington on 9 and 10 January.”
Pastrana and Coulthard join a growing New Zealand and international driver line-up for Race Of Champions Wellington, with further names to be announced.
