David Coulthard joins stellar line-up for ROC 2011
11/18/11 David Coulthard has become the latest motor sport great to sign up for the Race Of Champions at Düsseldorf’s ESPRIT arena on December 3-4, 2011.
The Scotsman enjoyed a glittering Formula 1 career, taking 13 grand prix victories and regularly finishing in the world championship top three. He also took the Red Bull F1 team’s first ever podium at Monaco in 2006, helping set them off on their current run of success. He has since gone on to compete in Germany’s DTM championship, combining his tin-top campaign with his role as an F1 commentator for the BBC.
Now Coulthard is stepping right back into the mix at the top, taking on the dazzling field of today’s motor sport greats at ROC 2011. The line-up already includes three F1 world champions in Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button, plus stars of world rally, Le Mans, touring cars and the X-Games.
Coulthard has a fine pedigree at the Race Of Champions too, reaching the Grand Final at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2008 soon after his retirement from F1. That day the Scotsman took rally legend Sébastien Loeb to the third heat of the best-of-three final, before missing out by the narrowest of margins in the decider (pictured). He will now aim to go a step further next month.
“This will be my sixth appearance at the Race Of Champions," said Coulthard. “It’s a totally unique event and it’s a pleasure to take part. Every year there is very exciting racing, and for the fans there’s nothing quite like being able to see the whole track. I’ve come pretty close to winning it in the past so I’ll dust off my helmet again and see what happens this time. But win or lose it’s always a bit of fun to end the season."
The Race Of Champions is an annual end-of-season competition that brings together the world’s greatest drivers from all motor sport’s disciplines – including Formula 1, world rally, touring cars, Le Mans and the X-Games – and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery on a specially constructed parallel track. Drivers pair up for the ROC Nations Cup, this year scheduled for Saturday 3 December, before the individual Race Of Champions takes place on Sunday 4 December.
ROC race organizer Fredrik Johnsson said: “David has been a regular competitor at the Race Of Champions down the years, and he’s a great character. He’s the kind of person who’s not only quick on the track but also a big hit with the fans, and that’s one of the things that makes the event great. We look forward to watching him prove he can still mix it with the best next month."
Get the latest updates on the Race Of Champions on Twitter (@raceofchampions) and Facebook (Race Of Champions). For information about tickets (starting from €19) please visit the website www.raceofchampions.com.
Drivers confirmed for the 2011 Race Of Champions:
Sebastian VETTEL, 2010 and 2011 Formula 1 World Champion
Michael SCHUMACHER, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion
Jenson BUTTON, 2009 Formula 1 World Champion
Andy PRIAULX, three-time World Touring Car Champion
Travis PASTRANA, four-time Rally America winner and X-Games legend
Brian DEEGAN, 13 X-games medals including Rally Cross gold in 2011
Tom KRISTENSEN, eight-time Le Mans 24-Hour race winner
Mattias EKSTROM, DTM star and triple ROC Champion of Champions
Sébastien OGIER, winner of five WRC rallies in 2011
Romain GROSJEAN, 2011 GP2 Series Champion
Martin TOMCZYK, 2011 DTM Champion
Vitaly PETROV, Formula 1 driver for Lotus Renault GP
Timo GLOCK, Formula 1 driver for Marussia Virgin Racing
Timo SCHEIDER, 2008 and 2009 DTM Champion
David COULTHARD, winner of 13 Formula 1 grands prix