ROC (Race of Champions)

Race of Champions (ROC)

Definition and Core Positioning
The Race of Champions, officially abbreviated as ROC, is a premier annual professional motorsport event co-founded by IMP founder Fredrik Johnsson and French rallying legend Michèle Mouton. Incepted in 1988, the competition was originally created to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the World Rally Championship and to honour Finnish driver Henri Toivonen, who tragically lost his life in the 1986 Tour de Corse. Far from being a single-category championship, ROC is positioned as an "All-Star" showdown that convenes champion drivers from elite categories including Formula 1, the World Rally Championship, Le Mans, NASCAR, IndyCar, and the World Touring Car Championship. It is widely acclaimed as the definitive grand finale and celebratory curtain-closer of the global motorsport calendar.

Origins and Early Development
The inaugural ROC took place in 1988 at the Montlhéry circuit near Paris, France, gathering all eight WRC world champions from 1979 to 1988. In an all-Finnish final, Juha Kankkunen edged out Timo Salonen to become the first-ever "Champion of Champions". Over the following decade, ROC established a long-term base in the Canary Islands, with the competition format leaning heavily toward rally drivers. In 1999, the Nations Cup was formally introduced, bringing circuit racers and motorcycle riders into the fold for the first time; from 2001 onward, non-rally drivers were granted eligibility to compete for the individual crown.

Track and Competition Format
The year 2004 marked a major turning point in ROC history. The event relocated from the Canary Islands to the Stade de France in Paris, pioneering the concept of temporary stadium circuits, replacing gravel and dirt surfaces with smooth tarmac, and shifting to a parallel twin-track layout. This overhaul significantly elevated the spectator experience and television broadcast presentation, offering trackside fans an unobstructed view of the entire battle. Constructed by specialist engineering crews in around four days without damaging the stadium turf, the parallel circuits are linked by a crossover bridge where drivers start simultaneously and cover identical distances on both inner and outer loops to ensure complete competitive parity.

Event Structure: Drivers' Cup and Nations Cup
ROC comprises two main headline events, staged over two consecutive days. The Nations Cup takes place on the first day, featuring two-driver teams of the same nationality battling for the title of "World's Fastest Nation". Drivers from each nation face off in head-to-head heats, with a sudden-death decider contested by the winning drivers if the overall score is level. The Drivers' Cup follows on day two, where 16 drivers compete individually through group stages and knockout rounds to vie for the "Champion of Champions" crown. The final is decided over a best-of-three duel, with the winner awarded the prestigious Henri Toivonen Memorial Trophy.

Identical Vehicle Principle
The hallmark of ROC is its "equal machinery" principle. All competitors pilot identical machinery in each round, encompassing rally cars, touring cars, electric racers, and off-road buggies, with cars allocated randomly before each heat. This format eliminates any vehicle or technical advantage drivers enjoy in their respective racing series, ensuring that the outcome rests solely on driving skill, adaptability, and on-track judgment. Over the years, the competition fleet has featured iconic machinery including the Audi Quattro S1, Porsche 911 GT3, Volkswagen Polo WRX, FC2 Rallycross, Polaris RZR, Subaru BRZ tS, and Toyota GR86 Cup.

Historical Champions and Classic Duels
ROC has seen numerous legendary drivers claim victory over the years. French ace Sébastien Loeb holds the all-time record in the Drivers' Cup with five titles, winning in 2003, 2005, 2008, 2022, and 2025. The German dream team of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel dominated the Nations Cup with five consecutive titles between 2007 and 2011, standing as the most dominant pairing in the event's history. Swedish driver Mattias Ekström also achieved remarkable success, winning back-to-back Drivers' Cup crowns in 2006 and 2007.

2025 Sydney Event and Loeb's Historic Double Crown
In March 2025, ROC made its debut in Australia at Sydney's Accor Stadium on a purpose-built 1-kilometre circuit, drawing a 20-driver line-up that included Loeb, Vettel, Bottas, Mick Schumacher, Kurt Busch, and Johan Kristoffersson. Loeb partnered Victor Martins to secure the Nations Cup for Team France on day one, before defeating Australian home favourite Chaz Mostert in the Drivers' Cup final on day two. This made Loeb the first driver in ROC's 33-year history to clean sweep both the Nations Cup and Drivers' Cup at the same event. Mostert, stepping in as a late replacement for Mattias Ekström, mounted an impressive giant-killing run by defeating Bottas, Kurt Busch, and Vettel en route to the final, underlining the sheer unpredictability of cross-discipline racing.

2027 Wellington Preview
ROC will make its New Zealand debut from 9 to 10 January 2027 at Wellington's Hnry Stadium. Confirmed entries include four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, current F1 driver Valtteri Bottas, Kiwi rally star Hayden Paddon, and Australian Supercars champion Chaz Mostert. The event will retain its traditional format, constructing a temporary stadium tarmac track to stage both the Nations Cup and Drivers' Cup battles. Ticket tiers for the Wellington round comprise Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Start/Finish, with single-day passes starting from NZD 49 and weekend passes from NZD 74.