The Race of Champions will return in 2025 with the occasion heading to Australia for the primary time in its storied historical past.
Sydney will host the occasion that pitches the most effective skills from numerous motorsport disciplines in head-to-head nation versus nation and particular person battles.
The New South Wales capital’s former Olympic stadium will welcome the Race of Champions from 7-8 March, per week earlier than the 2025 Method 1 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Drivers will do battle on a purpose-built asphalt observe housed contained in the Accor Stadium, with the ROC Nations Cup — the place drivers pair up in groups based mostly on nationality — scheduled for Friday. The person Race of Champions contest will probably be held on Saturday.
The choice to take the Race of Champions to Australia follows two years competing on the snow and ice at Pite Havsbad in Sweden in 2022 and 2023. Plans for a 3rd yr on the venue this yr had been ended on account of uncertainties relating to how the land space by the seaside and the ocean can be utilized.
The Race of Champions, which started in 1988, known as Gran Canaria dwelling from 1992-2003, earlier than the occasion went on tour taking in Paris, London, Beijing, Dusseldorf, Bangkok, Barbados, Miami, Riyadh and Mexico Metropolis, earlier than heading to Sweden in 2022.
“We’re extremely excited to carry the Race Of Champions to Australia for the primary time ever. ROC has at all times been about pushing drivers to their limits in distinctive circumstances,” stated Race Of Champions president and co-founder Fredrik Johnsson.
The Australian stadium set to host ROC
Photograph by: Race of Champions
“Australia has a wealthy motorsport heritage, and we’re trying ahead to celebrating that by pitting some of the most effective Australian drivers towards some of the world’s most legendary racing stars in a spectacular showdown within the center of Accor Stadium.”
The occasion won’t solely have a good time the worldwide motorsport elite but additionally give a possibility to Australian drivers, with seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup set to take part. Whincup, who retired from full-time driving in 2021, beforehand competed when ROC hosted occasions in Bangkok (2012-2013) and Barbados (2014).
“I had a good time competing on the Race Of Champions World Finals in Bangkok and Barbados,” stated Whincup.
“I am thrilled to be half of the ROC driver line-up once more in 2025, particularly with the occasion being hosted in Sydney.
“Competing alongside some of the most effective drivers on the earth from so many alternative racing sequence is at all times an unimaginable problem and representing Australian motorsport on dwelling soil now that ROC involves Australia for the primary time makes it much more particular. I can not wait to get on the market and provides it all the things for the Aussie followers.”
World rally champions Didier Auriol and Sebastien Loeb and two-time DTM champion and World Rallycross title winner Mattias Ekstrom are tied for probably the most Race of Champions titles with 4 a bit. Germany holds the report for many Nations Cup wins with eight.
