The stage – and the field of drivers – is set for the Race of Champions debut in Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium this weekend (December 14-16).
Sebastien Ogier is one of a number of late additions to the list of drivers who will compete on the ROC’s traditional side-by-side track, the Frenchman travelling to Bangkok to defend his ‘Champion of Champions’ prize he won last year. Defending his title from the opening slot in Group A (see below for the full draw) of the Race of Champions the rally driver will combine with 2011 GP2 champion and 2012 F1 driver Romain Grosjean to represent France in the Nations’ Cup element of the weekend, taking place on December 15.
Triple world champion Sebastian Vettel arguably leads the weekend’s list of drivers. However, the 16 man line-up also includes seven time F1 champion Michael Schumacher – who with Vettel will try and keep up Team Germany’s streak of Nations’ Cup win – eight time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen as well as ROC debutants Ryan Hunter-Reay and Jamie Whincup, both at the end of championship winning years in the Indycar Series and Australian V8 Supercars respectively.
The line –up in both the team and individual contests will be completed by the top drivers from Friday’s preliminary ROC Asia event.
Fans inside the stadium, as well as those watching on TV – Motors TV broadcasting the event throughout Europe – will also see demonstration runs by both Vettel and Jorge Lorenzo and stunt displays by Chris Pfeiffer on two wheels and Terry Grant on four, Grant aiming for world record for performing donuts.
While standing on the roof of his car.
2012 Race Of Champions Nations’ Cup draw
Group A
Team France (Sebastien Ogier & Romain Grosjean)
Team Great Britain (David Coulthard & Andy Priaulx)
Team Americas (Ryan Hunter-Reay & Benito Guerra)
Team All Stars (Tom Kristensen & Jorge Lorenzo)
Group B
Team Germany (Michael Schumacher & Sebastian Vettel)
Team Thailand (The two finalists from ROC Thailand)
Team Australia (Mick Doohan & Jamie Whincup)
Team Asia (The leading ROC Asia team other than Thailand)
2012 Race of Champions Draw
Group A
Sebastien Ogier – Reigning ROC ‘Champion of Champions’
Jamie Whincup – Four time V8 Supercar Champion
David Coulthard – 13 time Formula 1 winner
Benito Guerra – Reigning Production World Rally Champion
Group B
Tom Kristensen – 8 time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner
Andy Priaulx – Triple World Touring Car Champion
ROC Asia 1 – Top non-Thailand competitor from ROC Asia
ROC Thailand 1 – Winner of ROC Thailand
Group C
Sebastian Vettel – Reigning and Triple Formula 1 World Champion
Jorge Lorenzo – Reigning and double MotoGP World Champion
Mick Doohan – 5 time 500cc MotoGP World Champion
ROC Thailand 2 – runner-up from ROC Thailand
Group D
Michael Schumacher – 7 time Formula 1 World Champion
Ryan Hunter-Reay – Reigning IndyCar Series Champion
ROC Asia 2 – second-placed non-Thailand competitor from ROC Asia
Romain Grosjean – 2011 GP2 Champion
