RACE OF CHAMPIONS

Thai drivers to go up against Vettel, Schumi in Bangkok

Lerpong Amsangiam

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Germany, represented by former Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher and current title holder Sebastian Vettel, will defend their title in the Race of Champions, from December 14 to 16 at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

Schumacher and Vettel will be pitted against marquee drivers from Great Britain, Australia, France, Asia, USA and hosts Thailand.

Race organiser Fredrik Johnson said Ryan Hunter Reay, winner of the Indycar Series Championship, is the latest driver to confirm his participation in the 25th edition.

"Ryan is the first major motor sport champion of this year who has confirmed to compete in the race. We invite only champions from Formula 1, Indycar, Touring Car and Le Mans to participate in this event," Johnson said.

Initiated in 1988, the Race of Champions features eight teams of two drivers from different nations driving identical cars to determine the world's fastest team and drivers. Three categories, ROC of Asia, ROC Nations Cup and the individual Race of Champions, comprise the threeday event.

But an extra Race of Champions Thailand has been added to the programme on December 14 to find two representatives to represent the country in the ROC of Asia and ROC Nations Cup on December 15 and 16.

"As host, Thailand will automatically qualify for the ROC Nations Cup. This will be the second time that the tournament is held outside Europe, after Beijing in 2009," Johnson said.

The Rajamangala stadium will be transformed into a race track on December 1, with space for around 40,000 spectators. Johnson said the specially designed parallel tracks featuring a bridge would be wider allowing racers to drive more spectacularly without crashing into each other.

To give fans a closer view of the action, some will be chosen by lucky draw to sit in the same cars as the champion drivers race. The specs of the race cars will be announced later, but Johnson insisted all would be identical so that no one had an advantage.

The Race of Champions is also due in Thailand next year with the support of Red Bull, Singha and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

-- The Nation 2012-10-04

Nice! I would love to get a front seat! Where can we buy tickets?

Nice! I would love to get a front seat! Where can we buy tickets?

the Nation article is very poorly done.

useful links:

http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/sport/sport-detail.php?sid=1501&la=en

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Race-Of-Champions/117768101599621

http://www.raceofchampions.com/

will the thai's be driving pick ups.

They should all be driving Tuk Tuks!

re.

will the thai's be driving pick ups

probably .... and badly : (

dave2

will the thai's be driving pick ups.

There are several taxi drivers who would qualify....

Maybe if the race were held on the tollway at peak rush hour it would be a fairer test of driver skill

i like the tuk tuk idea. what do they mean by 'To give fans a closer view of the action, some will be chosen by lucky draw to sit in the same cars as the champion drivers race', do they mean some of the public get to sit in the passenger seat in the race? how cool would that be. you could get your own bumper sticker made up, 'I am Michael Schumacher's copilot'

My money will be on the motorcy taxi guys for a place on the podium.

The Thai drivers will definitely be the favourites if they drive normally. All other drivers will not appreciate having cars pull out in front of them, or changing lanes without looking. Then when they all get angry with the Thai drivers, the thais will just ignore the looks and do it again to show thay are number one. The race will be like a train wreck.

will the thai's be driving pick ups.

Hahaahaha....! Brilliant! What a true Joke!

I guess 90% only knows and appreciate pick-ups! They actually believe that their pick ups are way better automobiles than Bentley or the Maserati Granturismo.

Hahahhaha!!!

Nice! I would love to get a front seat! Where can we buy tickets?

the Nation article is very poorly done.

useful links:

http://www.thaiticke...?sid=1501&la=en

http://www.facebook....117768101599621

http://www.raceofchampions.com/

Is it a wonder...? It's written by The Nation. What do you expect????

Well, "with the support of Red Bull" .... isn't that the company whose CEO just killed a cop, using his 30 million THB Ferrari as a weapon? Could be said that the police officer also was killed "with the support of Red Bull". Really lacking any respect and humanity those guys ...

I once had a taxi from the airport. The driver was awsome never lifted his foot once hard down all the way. A winner fot sure

I suppose if they get enough pax. they could throw in some baht buses too.

Andyuk

will the thai's be driving pick ups.

...and farangs will be telling them how to drive them

as usual