March 7-8
20 of the world’s best drivers will race no less than six different types of car at the Race Of Champions (ROC) in Sydney, March 7-8
The cars will include a FC2 Rallycross car, Supercar Lite, KTM X-Bow Comp R, Polaris RZR Pro R, Subaru BRZ tS and Toyota GR86 Cup
Accor Stadium to be turned into a spectacular side-by-side 1km asphalt race track when this unique event is hosted for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere
The 33rd edition of The Race Of Champions will include superstars from F1, World Rallying, Supercars, Rallycross, NASCAR, Extreme E and Dakar
Tickets from $49 on sale now through Ticketek
The line-up of vehicles being raced will be as varied and unique as the drivers steering them at next week’s Race of Champions at Accor Stadium in Sydney, March 7-8.
There will be no less than six different types of cars being raced head-to-head on a specially-designed side-by-side 1km asphalt track which began its eight-day build process yesterday (Wednesday).
More than 100 people will be employed to work 24-7 to transform the 13,500sqm venue surface into a modern day coliseum into what will be Accor Stadium’s biggest and most dynamic temporary transformation in its 23-year history.
Each of the six selected brands of vehicle will all have their own characteristics on the one-off circuit which will be created using latest-design technology that will have every element built to within millimetres, including a cool 43m-crossover bridge.
Race Of Champions rewards the driver that can master a number of different cars and driving techniques. Having a wide variety of cars also ensures no single driver ever feels truly comfortable in their surroundings.
Leading the list of cars will be the four-wheel driver FC2 Rallycross car which has no less than 550 horsepower and not far behind it in the performance stakes will be a Supercar Lite Rallycross machine.
A crowd favourite is constantly the KTM X-Bow Comp R which is a unique open-wheel, rear-wheel drive machine which allows the fans the chance to see every turn off the wheel from the legends driving them.
The Polaris RZR Pro R has been one of the most successful side-by-side vehicles produced in off-road world motorsports and is as much at home on the desert dunes of Dakar as it is on freshly-laid asphalt of Accor Stadium.
Norway’s Petter Solberg won the World Rally Championship for Subaru in 2003, but his WRC
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 title winner will be a little different to the rear-wheel drive 2.4-litre Subaru BRZ tS’ that have been sourced for the Sydney event, but no less fun or challenging
Finally, there will be four Toyota GR86 Cup cars, which are regularly seen on race tracks around Australia as part of the support program for Supercars.
All drivers will have the opportunity to drive each of the six types of cars in the Wednesday (March 5) Media Day before the full practice and shakedown schedule on Thursday (March 6).
The cars will be prepared and maintained by a team of mechanics in a specially-prepared pit-paddock area under the Western grandstand.
The 20 invited international drivers will represent nine different countries in the ROC Nations Cup on Friday March 7 and then all of them will go head-to-head for the Champion of Champions crown on Saturday, March 8.
Team Germany, led by four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel and former F2 champion Mick Schumacher, heads the Nations Cup line-up which will also include teams from France, Sweden, Norway, Great Britain, New Zealand, USA and Finland.
As host nation Australia will be represented by two teams. The first will be Team Australia Supercars headed by seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup and reigning title holder Will Brown, while Team Australian Off-Road will comprise rally ace Molly Taylor and two-time Dakar winner, Toby Price.
The Race Of Champions comes two weeks after last weekend’s 2025 Supercars opener at Sydney Motorsport Park and one week before the opening round of the F1 World Championship in Melbourne (March 13-16), creating a massive month of motorsport in Australia.
THE CARS
FC2 Rallycross
Supercar Lite Rallycross
KTM X-Bow Comp R
Polaris RZR Pro R
Subaru BRZ tS
Toyota GR86 Cup
2025 ROC NATIONS CUP - FINAL TEAMS LINE-UP
Team Germany
Sebastian Vettel (GER)
Mick Schumacher (GER)
Team Australia Supercars
Jamie Whincup (AUS)
Will Brown (AUS)
Team Australia Off-Road
Molly Taylor (AUS)
Toby Price (AUS)
Team New Zealand
Hayden Paddon (NZ)
Louis Sharp (NZ)
Team USA
Travis Pastrana (USA)
Kurt Busch (USA)
Team Norway (Defending ROC Nations Cup Champions)
Petter Solberg (NOR)
Oliver Solberg (NOR / SWE)
Team Sweden
Johan Kristoffersson (SWE)
Mattias Ekström (SWE)
Team France
Sebastien Loeb (FRA)
Victor Martins (FRA)
Team Great Britain
David Coulthard (UK)
Max McRae (UK)
Team Finland
Valtteri Bottas (FIN)
What Team Australia Supercars’ Jamie Whincup said:
“Race Of Champions always has an interesting and eclectic field of cars and ROC Sydney is certainly no different,” said Whincup.
“I think all six cars will offer different challenges and it will be who gets their head around them the fastest that will be in with a shot.
“Everyone of the 20 drivers is super competitive and all will have their unique edge in one or more of the cars, but it will be the same for everyone.
“All six cars will certainly be different to a Supercar and that’s what is going to make it a great challenge and a heap of fun.”
What Fredrik Johnsson, Race Of Champions President and Co-Founder, said:
“We have managed to put together a challenging grid of cars for our first ever Race Of Champions in the Southern Hemisphere,” said Johnsson.
“All six cars require a unique skill level to get the most out of them.
“Some drivers will be strong in one car and not so sharp in others, but it is the driver who is the most consistent across all the cars who will put themselves in contention for victory.
“We have a minimum of three cars in each category, so we have a little room in case of major damage, but obviously the plan is to get through the two nights of racing with all cars in-tact.
“We have an experienced crew of mechanics and engineers on stand-by in case we need them, but the plan is for them to have a relaxing couple of nights. It doesn’t always work out that way.”
Hospitality and Trackside packages and General Admission Tickets start from $49.00 for children and $69.00 for adults. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketek.com.au.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday 7th March – ROC Nations Cup – to crown the world's fastest Nation. Accor Stadium, Sydney
Doors Open 5:30pm
Show Starts 6:30pm
Race Starts 7:30pm
Saturday 8th March – Race Of Champions – to crown the "Champion of Champions" Accor Stadium, Sydney
Doors open 5:30pm
Show Starts 6:30pm
Race Starts 7.30pm
