(Stade de France, Paris, Saturday December 16, 2006)
Record breakers: Loeb and Kristensen – the world's most successful WRC and Le Mans stars – confirmed for the 2006 ROC-Nations Cup (December 16)
…plus exciting England v Scotland clash, with Button, Coulthard and McRae all confirmed!
Ø Sébastien Loeb (27 world class rally wins; a new record), DTM Champion Mattias Ekström and Tom Kristensen (7 Le Mans 24 Hours wins; a record) all return to the Stade France in Paris to defend their 2005 ROC and Nations Cup titles.
Ø Jenson Button bids to uphold English honour against fellow F1 star David Coulthard and former WRC champ Colin McRae in first ever England versus Scotland Nations Cup clash. Button's team-mate to be confirmed shortly.
Ø Date confirmed for the 2006 Race of Champions-Nations Cup: Saturday December 16.
The 19th edition of the Race of Champions-Nations Cup, a unique and spectacular competition that opposes motor sport champions and superstars from across the world, returns to the Stade de France in Paris, France, for the third year running on Saturday December 16, 2006.
Talks with bill-topping names from disciplines including Formula 1, NASCAR, WRC, Le Mans, DTM, Indy500, Champ Car and X-Games are well underway, and last year's Champion of Champions Sébastien Loeb and the 2005 Nations Cup-winning Scandinavian line-up of seven-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen and DTM Champion Mattias Ekström have already pledged to defend their respective crowns.
News concerning the names of their challengers will be announced as they are confirmed, while the promise of a landmark showdown between Scotland and England – the first in the history of the ROC-Nations Cup – is sure to be a major draw for British race and rally fans.
Sébastien Loeb, 2005 Race of Champions winner and provisional leader of the 2006 Drivers' World Rally Championship, became the first driver in WRC history to notch up the score of 27 world class wins in Japan earlier in September: "I'm going to give everything I've got to defend my 2005 Champion of Champions title and why not even help secure the Nations Cup again for France after our win in 2004! I'm really looking forward to this year's event. The atmosphere in the Stade de France is electric; you can really feel the 60,000 spectators cheering you on! For me, it's a highpoint at the end of the season."
Tom Kristensen (left) and Sébastien Loeb show off their respective trophies to the packed-house Stade de France at the end of the 2005 Race of Champions – Nations Cup.
Meanwhile, the confirmation of the participation of national teams from England and Scotland points to a thrilling cross-border clash in the ROC-Nations Cup, with the Stade de France serving as neutral territory.
The hopes of motor sport fans from north of the border will be defended by Red Bull Racing's David Coulthard (13 F1 wins) and former World Rally Champ Colin McRae. They will face an English line-up spearheaded by Honda Racing's Jenson Button who this summer claimed the first F1 Grand Prix win of his career in Germany. Jenson's partner in the English line-up will be confirmed shortly.
"I relish the chance to re-start the battle between the two great nations Scotland and England in the ROC-Nations Cup. For the first time we will have teams from both countries in the competition and I am sure it will be something really special," enthuses David Coulthard. "I recommend everyone to mark December 16 down in their diaries! The Race of Champions is a unique opportunity for drivers from motor sport's biggest series around the globe to meet and compete together. The track and the variety of racing and rally cars we get to drive suits some better than others, but that's all part of the charm."
For Jenson Button, December's fixture will be his first taste of the ROC-Nations Cup: "I'm really looking forward to my first Race of Champions. I have never previously been able to attend but I am told by my fellow competitors that it's a great event and lots of fun."
TICKETING INFORMATION
Advanced bookings via the usual outlets:
By calling 0892 700 900 (0.34 euros/min), or visit www.stadefrance.com
Fnac, Carrefour, Auchan, Virgin, Leclerc, Géant
- Group bookings: call +33 1 55 93 01 49 or e-mail groupes-ce@stadefrance.com
- Bookings for handicapped spectators: call +33 1 55 93 08 20.
Prices start from €25 (view of entire circuit from all seats).
Car park: €13 (advanced sales only)
