Formula One has always looked down on other motor sports. American stock car
racing in particular, despite its huge popularity in the States, is often
dismissed as a poor relation. F1 fans pour scorn on its low-tech cars and
low-rent crowds, even describing it as “hillbilly wrestling on wheels” (and
that’s from an American motor racing correspondent). But when Juan Pablo
Montoya left F1 for stock cars last year he fired a broadside at F1’s
superiority complex, saying he probably wouldn’t even bother watching it
after he’d left.
So is F1 really the pinnacle of motor racing? Next Sunday that theory will be
put to the test, when 16 of the world’s greatest racing drivers converge on
Wembley stadium to take part in the Race of Champions – all driving
identical cars on the same circuit. It’s a chance to silence, once and for
all, the arguments about which motor sport has the best drivers. The
challenge has even tempted Michael Schumacher, arguably the greatest driver
of all time, out of retirement.
Also representing F1 will be Jenson Button, David Coulthard and Heikki
Kovalainen, last year’s second-best newcomer. They will take on Jimmie
Johnson, the current Nascar (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
champion, Marcus Grönholm, two-time World Rally champion, Tom Kristensen,
seven-time winner of the Le Mans 24-hour race, and Andy Priaulx, reigning
World Touring Car champion. There have been rumours Lewis Hamilton will join
them; if he’s not driving – which now looks more likely – chances are he’ll
be in the crowd.
A track of about 1km has been constructed inside the stadium. Drivers will
compete two at a time – against each other and the clock – in a knockout
competition to find out who really is the best of the best. As well as
chasing individual glory, drivers will team up to compete for their
countries in the Nations Cup. Priaulx and Button will represent England,
while Coulthard and the late Colin McRae’s brother Alister fly the flag for
Scotland.
They’ll compete in a range of cars, from the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24
sports coupé to the ROC Car, a lightweight contraption built for the Race of
Champions and designed to showcase the talents of those who drive it. They
will also all try their hands in rally cars from Fiat and Ford as well as a
specialist touring car called the Solution F. Schumacher can’t afford to be
too cocky. Although this is its first visit to the UK, where a crowd of
80,000 is expected, the Race of all the Champions started back in 1988,
primarily as an event for rally drivers. Even though it soon accepted
drivers from all racing disciplines, it has never been won by a current or
former F1 driver.
The closest it came was in 2004, when the then almost unknown Kovalainen took
the title, knocking out Schumacher in the semis, an achievement widely
credited with helping to fast-track him to an F1 ride. This may be your last
chance to watch Schuey in action, but don’t count on a characteristic
effortless breeze to victory.
See www.raceofchampions.com for
more details
I agree with the car park, another good alternative would be outside McDonalds in Redditch which is turned in to a race track most evenings by the so called youth of today! All of them driving a range of vehicles you wouldn't be seen dead in.
Regards
Dave George, Redditch, Worc's
You my friend no nothing about F-1. F-1 drivers are the best in the world because they drive the fastest cars and do that in 2 corner which is the hardest thing to do. Not like a bunch of clowns who race here in America.
Aron , New York , USA
this race would have been better in the car park at wembly dont you think
pat, london, england