The Race of Champions has announced the final two drivers for the 2015 event, deciding to bring back WTCC champions, Andy Priaulx and Argentina’s José Maria López, who competed in last years event, where he went out in the group stage.
Lopez, who won the World Touring Car Championship for the second consecutive year this season, has raced in the competition once before in 2014. Like last year, he’ll once again find himself paired up with a driver from the United States, for the 2015 event that’s Ryan Hunter-Reay.
Speaking beforehand, López said: “This has been another great year for me and this invitation to the Race of Champions is the perfect way to cap it off. This year the pressure was on and the competition with my team-mates was harder than ever so to to win the championship three races early was an amazing result.”
“Now I can look forward to racing my fellow champions next week in London. The line-up is amazing with great drivers from all over the world so we now look forward to putting on a great show for the crowds.”
Priaulx meanwhile, will join Jason Plato as the English-born Touring Car representative. Having won the WTCC three times in the past, he has also had success at the ROC, picking up the runners-up medal twice, in 2007 and 2008.
This will be his eighth running of the event, making him one of the most experienced drivers. When interviewed, Priaulx said: “What a great way to end a busy season – joining all my fellow champions in a fun head-to-head battle. Same cars, same track: it will be an epic challenge. I love this event. I can’t wait to get there and catch up with everyone.”
The Race of Champions is to be held at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium on November 20 and 21, with a record sized grid of 20 drivers.
