Race Of Champions returns to Bangkok
The end-of-season competition, held every year since 1988, brings together the world’s greatest drivers from motor sport’s main disciplines – including Formula 1, world rally, touring cars, Le Mans, MotoGP, IndyCar and the X-Games – and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery.
Recent Race Of Champions hosts include the Stade de France in Paris (2004-2006), London’s Wembley Stadium (2007-2008), Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ Olympic Stadium (2009) and Düsseldorf’s ESPRIT arena (2010-2011). Now, with the backing of title partners Red Bull and Singha alongside other major sponsors to be announced in the coming months, ROC is making its second consecutive appearance in Bangkok.
This year’s racing action will begin with the ROC Nations Cup on Saturday December 14, followed by the individual Race Of Champions on Sunday December 15. There will also be a busy program of entertainment both on and off track – including stunt shows and demo runs on four wheels and two.
His Excellency, the Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand, Kanokphand Chulakasem said: “We are delighted to play host to the Race Of Champions again. Last year’s ROC was Thailand's largest motor sport event ever. It was an enormous success and put Thailand on the map for major sports events."
The Race Of Champions brings together stars from all over the world. The 2012 field featured a total of 10 Formula 1 world championships through Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel plus seven MotoGP championships courtesy of Jorge Lorenzo and Mick Doohan, alongside greats from Le Mans (Tom Kristensen), touring cars (Andy Priaulx), V8 Supercars (Jamie Whincup) and more.
The individual Champion of Champions crown was won by France’s F1 star Romain Grosjean who defeated Vettel, Schumacher and Kristensen along the way. But Vettel and Schumacher didn’t go away empty-handed as they took an unprecedented sixth straight ROC Nations Cup title for Team Germany.
This year’s racing will again take place on a specially constructed tarmac track with two parallel lanes winding their way round the Rajamangala Stadium. Built in time to stage the 1998 Asian Games, the arena has since hosted Thailand’s home football matches plus the Asian Cup in 2007. With a capacity of 50,000, the venue also hosts athletics, pop concerts and even political rallies.
ROC 2013 will also stage a repeat of last year’s inaugural ROC ROCKS Fan Festival adjacent to the Rajamangala Stadium with stands by its partners including Red Bull and Singha. The Festival features a range of shows, demos, music, DJs and more, allowing fans to get even closer to the sport’s stars.
Race organizer Fredrik Johnsson added: “We are happy that Thailand has seen off strong competition to win the bid to stage both the 2012 and 2013 Race Of Champions. Our debut in the vibrant city of Bangkok went well and we are delighted to have such illustrious partners on board again. Last year we held the first ever ROC ROCKS Fan Festival and we will continue that, bringing the sport even closer to the fans. This is a unique chance to see some of the best drivers in the world fighting it out in identical cars so we look forward to a packed house this time."
Mr. Chalerm Yoodvidhya of Red Bull said: "We are thrilled to once again bring this exciting motor sport event to Thailand. Last year's race was a great opportunity for Thai racing fans to see some of the world's best drivers in action."
Mr. Santi Bhirombhakdi, President of the Singha Corporation, said: “Singha is proud to again sponsor this fantastic race. Throughout our history, Singha has consistently supported motor sport events and we are thrilled to bring this major racing event to Thailand."
Live coverage of ROC 2012 was available on television all over the world – including Motors TV around Europe, Al Jazeera in the Middle East, Fox in Latin America including Brazil and Mexico, Fox Sports in Australia, PPTV and Euro Soccer channel in China, the Sony Entertainment Network in India, Super Sport in Africa and many more. A similar array of top broadcasters will be lined up for 2013.
Ticket details will be released shortly. For further information and access to high-resolution imagery please visit www.raceofchampions.com. Sign up for all the latest updates at www.raceofchampions.com, @raceofchampions on Twitter or Race Of Champions on Facebook.
The driver line-up for the 2012 Race Of Champions included:
- Michael SCHUMACHER, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion
- Sebastian VETTEL, Formula 1 World Champion 2012, 2011, 2010
- Jorge LORENZO, MotoGP World Champion 2012, 2010
- Tom KRISTENSEN, nine-time Le Mans 24-Hour race winner
- Mick DOOHAN, five-time 500cc MotoGP World Champion
- Jamie WHINCUP, V8 Supercar Champion 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008
- David COULTHARD, 13-time Formula 1 grand prix winner
- Andy PRIAULX, three-time World Touring Car Champion
- Ryan HUNTER-REAY, IndyCar Series Champion 2012
- Benito GUERRA, Production World Rally Champion 2012
- Narain KARTHIKEYAN, 2012 Formula 1 driver for HRT
- Karun CHANDHOK, Formula 1 driver for HRT and Team Lotus
- Nattavude CHAROENSUKAWATTANA, Supercar Thailand Champion 2010
- Tin SRITRAI, Touring Car Series in Asia by IMSP Champion 2012
- Kazuya OHSHIMA, Class winner Nürburgring 24-Hour race 2012, 2010
- Takuto IGUCHI, Class winner Nürburgring 24-Hour race 2012
- Ho-Pin TUNG, Formula 1 test driver for Renault
- Han HAN, China Rally and China Touring Car Champion 2012
- Romain GROSJEAN, three Formula 1 podiums in 2012
- Sebastien OGIER, over 10 WRC rally wins and leading the 2013 title race