- My Account
- Logout
- Register
- Login
Hamilton and Hoy in battle of the speed titans at Wembley
Related Articles
05 December 2008
Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton and Olympic gold medal cyclist Chris Hoy will battle it out over a specially-tailored circuit in the heart of Wembley Stadium, in a week's time.
Hamilton will be at the wheel of Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR, while Hoy takes the saddle of a racing bicycle.
Starting side by side on a tight, twisty and challenging circuit alien to both machines, the two stars will race in a no-holds-barred duel.
The head-to-head chase will be the highlight of the warm-up for the Race of Champions Nations Cup events at the stadium, on 14 December, from 1pm.
Hamilton will also perform a thrilling demonstration run in his championship-winning Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
After the pair leave the stadium, the Race of Champions will pit the best competitors from the world of two-and four-wheeled motorsport together, to show off their abilities on an asphalt track constructed on top of Wembley's famous pitch.
F1 stars, superbike champions, Nascar racers and rally aces will compete in a series of exciting challenges in two separate competitions; the ROC Nations Cup and the Race of Champions.
Each competition will pit drivers against each other in a knockout format in spectacularly quick ROC Buggies, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive 170bhp motorcycle-engined machines that rocket from 0-60mph in around three seconds, equal equipment ensuring that races are won and lost on talent alone as drivers push the vehicles to — and beyond — the limit.
In the Nations Cup drivers are paired into teams based on their nationality. The Race of Champions is an adrenaline-fuelled knockout competition where 16 drivers go head to head until the champion is decided.
Names already confirmed include eight times Le Mans 24-hour winner Tom Kristensen of Scandinavia, seven times F1 World champion Michael Schumacher of Germany, four-times World Rally champion Sébastian Loeb of France and triple World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx of Great Britain.
Triple Superbike World Champion Troy Bayliss of Australia, Red Bull Racing F1's David Coulthard and Jensen Button, Team Autosport Great Britain, will also be competing.
"Ever since we created the Race of Champions 20 years ago, we've been putting the greatest racers in the world against each other," said Fredrik Johnsson, president of event organiser, IMP.
"With Britain's fantastic performance in Beijing, especially in cycling, and with Lewis winning the F1 World Championship, this was too good an opportunity to miss."
Hamilton said: "This is going to be very special. I've done F1 demonstration runs away from race tracks before but Wembley Stadium's completely different; the atmosphere will be crazy."
Hoy, who along with Hamilton is on this year's BBC Sports Personality shortlist, said: "I can kick about two-and-a-half brake horsepower so it's not going to match the car but I will be giving it everything!"
Adult tickets for the Race of Champions cost from £18, child tickets £9.
Call 0844 4121743 or go to www.raceofchampions.com
Comments
Top stories in Sport
Top stories in Sport
-
No end to Tube nightmare as commuters warned of MORE chaos tonight
-
Double dip recession is worse than feared as UK faces ‘hurricane’
-
They attacked "like a pack" raining fists on a defenceless legal secretary. Yesterday they walked free from court. No wonder their victim says she has been denied justice.
-
Mayor demands report from Transport for London into Jubilee Line nightmare that left hundreds of commuters trapped for hours underground
-
Friends of football fan killed after Champions League final tell of 'horror' scene of his death
The O2
Check out the cool stuff happening under our tent such as the hottest gigs, comedy, sport, films, clubs, bars, restaurants and much more.
Can you imagine a career in teaching?
Be inspired to teach - let real teachers show you how rewarding the job can be.
Playing a game-changing role during the Games
Cisco is providing the solutions for London 2012's complex IT needs.
Win a Silverstone track day with Zantac 75
Feel the burn of a different kind - 20 Silverstone motoring experiences to be won
Reader Offers email A fantastic selection of
offers, giveaways and
promotions.
Cannes Film Festival - in pictures
Biggest ever image of the Queen, and she also appears made out of stamps, cheese and BEER
Man v Woman v Food: the big burger challenge
New kids from the Bloc: new wave of Russians settling in London
London drug dealer pictured himself with bags of cannabis and wearing crown of £20 notes
BarChick: Janet's Bar