About Race of Champions
The Race of Champions (ROC) stands as the premier international motorsport event that unites top drivers from Formula One, World Rally Championship, IndyCar, NASCAR, sports car racing, touring car racing, and motorcycle racing. Our event removes car performance advantages by having all drivers compete in identical vehicles on a custom-designed track.
History
Rally driver Michèle Mouton and Fredrik Johnsson created ROC in 1988. The event started as a celebration of rally racing and honors Henri Toivonen through our championship trophy. Since then, ROC has grown to include racers from all motorsport categories. In 1989, we introduced our signature parallel track format at Nurburgring.
Competition Format
Drivers compete in knockout rounds on our parallel track. The event starts with group stages, where racers face each other in different cars. Top performers advance to quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final round. Since 1999, we added the Nations Cup, where two drivers represent their country in team competition.
Track Features
Our track uses a parallel design with two identical, intertwined courses. A crossover bridge ensures equal racing distance for both drivers. The track spans approximately 1 kilometer and combines different surface types. This design tests driver adaptability and skill.
Vehicle Selection
- ROC features a rotating selection of race cars, including:
- Rally cars: Ford Focus RS WRC, Citroën Xsara WRC
- Sports cars: Porsche 911 GT3, Audi R8 LMS
- Open-wheel cars: ROC Buggy, Euro Racecar
- Touring cars
- Custom ROC vehicles
Champions and Legacy
Sébastien Loeb holds the record for most individual wins. Notable champions include Tom Kristensen, Mattias Ekström, Didier Auriol, Carlos Sainz, and Colin McRae. These victories showcase the diverse talent pool at ROC.
Global Reach
- ROC takes place at famous venues worldwide, including:
- Stade de France, Paris
- Wembley Stadium, London
- Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium, Beijing
- Snow + Ice event in Sweden (2022)
Future Direction
ROC continues to innovate by adding electric vehicles and exploring sustainable racing options. We maintain our commitment to celebrating motorsport excellence while expanding to new locations and audiences worldwide.
The Race of Champions delivers exciting head-to-head competition between motorsport's best drivers. Our unique format answers a simple question: Who ranks as the top driver across all racing disciplines?