Race of Champions 2009

Can't believe there isnt a thread on this already so here it goes...

The Race of Champions 2009 will be held next week in Bejing in the Birds nest Olympic Stadium after a two year stay at Wembley Stadium from 2007 - 2008. For those not familiar with the event, its a head to head event between the worlds best drivers on a challenging fully paved Rally Style Crossover track.

Drivers are pitted against each other in a head to head knock out competition in Identical cars to find the Best driver in the world. The results are often a surpprise highlighting a drivers true skill when removed from their particular Team, series or even Disciplin. Prime examplesof this was in Last years competition where Formula One Champion 2009 Jensen Button was Defeated in the First round by Rally America Driver and 2 time Formula Drift Champion Tanner Foust and 7 Time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher being Defeated by NASCAR driver Carl Edwards.

Last year saw 6 time World Rally Champion Sebastian Leob narrowly defeat Former McLaren F1 Driver and Now BBC Presenter David Coulthard to take the crown. But with him not attending who will take the title this year?

Here's The Contenders...

Michael Schumacher (F1)

Jensen Button (F1)

Sebastian Vettel (F1)

Mikko Hirvonen (WRC)

Mick Doohan (Motorcycling)

Tom Kristensen (LeMans)

Andy Priaulx (WTCC)

Mattias Ekstrom (DTM)

Yvan Muller (WTCC)

David Coulthard (F1)

Ginel Devilliers (Paris Dakar)

Tanner Foust (Fourmula Drift, Rally America, X Games Rally)

Travis Pastrana (Rally America, X Games Rally)

Jamie Whincup (V8 Supercars)

Emanuele Pirro (LeMans)

Clivio Piccione (A1 GP)

Guerlain Chicherit (Cross Counrty Rally World Cup)

Marcus Gronholm (WRC)

I Actually went to this Last year at Wembley and the Racing and Atmosphere were absolutely amazing!

So who are you guys tipping for the top?? Would Love to hear Everyones opinion on this one

It used to be good pre-2004 when it was in the Canary Islands. That was more interesting.

Go Tanner Foust!

I think Tanners Definately got the skills...

But after seeing Prilaux absolutely Blitzing the track last year it would be hard to bet against him.

It took Loeb to stop him and he's not in it this year!

I just think foust has too much experience in many types of cars to lose this year, he had a shot at gold in the x games, until his car had problems

Is it on Sky Sports again?

2009 Coverage

Amongst many others you can watch the ROC 2009 action live on:

Eurosport across Europe and Asia
CCTV 5 throughout China
Via the web on www.raceofchampions.com

I honestly dont know if its on sky sports

But Tanner only got to the second round last year if i remember rightly, He does have great skills but not sure there great enough for ROC,

I cant remember who knocked him out of it last year...

well if there not tanner, theres always travis

Travis could, He shattered his pelvis just before last years event so couldnt compete (i think thats why we got Tanner in the First place)

He's got some serious pace and could be a huge threat! especially in the WRC Focus

I'm calling a Hirvonen win