What is the Race of Champions?

It is easy to know that Novak Djokovic is the current world number 1 tennis player according to the ATP rankings, or that Usain Bolt has the 100m record. But how do we determine the best driver? So many categories and practitioners mean that there is none. However, Sébastien Loeb has nine titles WRC, Lewis Hamilton has the winning record in F1 (103), Stéphane Peterhansel, 14 Dakar victories, Richard Petty was crowned seven times in Nascar et Valentino Rossi managed to win 6 crowns in MotoGP, but nothing really tells us which one is the greatest of all. 

The desire to establish a “greatest driver in the world” was therefore the precursor to the creation of the Race of Champions. Bring together drivers from all categories, nations, and prize lists to determine the champion of champions each year. 

So this race was founded in 1988, by the director and founder of IMP, Frederik Johnsson and Michèle Mouton, victorious pilot of rally. The inaugural edition took place in Montléry in France. This first event is also organized in memory of Henri Toivonen, driver who died during the Corsica Rally 86. Even today, the Henri Toivonen trophy is awarded to the victorious in the Race of Champions. 

The founders of the Race of Champions in 2007 © Frédéric Le Floc/DPPI

The circuit for this event is a super special. The pilots cover the same distance. They are launched on two parallel tracks which form a continuous circuit. The first to complete their turn wins the round. Many countries have hosted the event: France, Germany, China, United States, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, United Kingdom, Spain, Mexico, Barbados and now Sweden is added to this long list. 

During its history, several categories have been created: Factor Skills Challenge established in 2014, notably won by Esteban Ocon and Peter Solberg, the ROC Legend and Usa vs “the World” at the ROC in Miami. 

Revival of the competition 

Since 1999, the organization has established the Nations Cup. A distinction which also helps establish teamwork values. Thus, each year, a country is awarded the title of best country. Since the establishment of this category, Germany largely dominates with 8 victories including 6 consecutive with the crew Hag/Schumacher.

The most successful drivers are French: Didier Auriol accumulates 4 individual victories followed closely by Sébastien Loeb with 3 titles. They both form the France team this year. Another name has accumulated 3 titles: Mattias Ekström. Motorsport greats came to join the competition: Schumacher, Hakkinen, Rossi, Kristensen, Johnson, Coultard, Loeb, Ogier, Auriol, Vettel…

Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher at Wembley © ROC Gallery

In 2018, the event is renewed and organizes the first edition of the e-Race of Champions. A virtual race allowing a whole new visibility and a new approach to the race. This year, the top two in the virtual competition will enter the real competition. A team called eROC ALL STARS will therefore take part in the hostilities. 

This year, the event is taking place in Sweden in Norbotten, located less than 100km from the Arctic Circle. This is the first timehistory that the Race of Champions takes place on ice. Accustomed to asphalt like at the Stade de France in Paris or on the ground of Gran Canaria, the competition is renewed. 

The event will be broadcast on Saturday and Sunday, from 12 p.m. on Canal+Décalé, for the channel's subscribers. The comments will be provided by Julien Fébreau, the voice of F1, associated with Stéphane Genti, reporter on site to interview the drivers. 

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