ROC announces car line-up

CHAMPION CARS AND DRIVERS FOR ROC

With The Race of Champions (ROC) full of star names, the cars needed to be worthy of the incredible line-up so organisers are today delighted to confirm two of the biggest names in motorsport.

Both Ford, the 2007 World Rally Manufacturer champions, and Aston Martin will be at the December 16 event, which will see Wembley Stadium transformed into a tarmac race track.

The ROC drivers, including Ford's own Marcus Gronholm, will be competing in the actual Ford Focus WRC car shortly after the championship's final round, in which Gronholm hopes to emerge victorious.

Director of Ford Team RS, Jost Capito said it was fitting that The ROC cars, as well as the drivers, should be proven winners. "We're already manufacturer champions this year and it only remains to put all our weight behind Marcus for the drivers title," he said.

"It can sometimes be difficult to do justice to the skill and bravery required in rally, because the course is so long. The Race of Champions gives us a chance to show-case Marcus and the car in front of all our fans. I'm sure it will be an incredible day."

The Aston Martin Vantage N24 at Wembley earlier this year

As well as the Ford Focus WRC car The ROC contestants, including David Coulthard, Jenson Button and Tom Kristensen, will again be put to the test in the Aston Martin Vantage N24.

The spectacular car, which is a variant of the V8 Vantage developed by Aston Martin for the Nurburgring 24 Hours endurance race, caused a storm at The Race of Champions 2006, producing some of the most thrilling action.

"We are delighted to once again have such prestigious and exciting cars in The ROC line-up," said Fredrik Johnsson, President of event organizer's IMP. "On top of the race-prepared Aston Martins and the World Rally Championship-winning Ford, we expect to announce more spectacular cars in the coming weeks.

"Of course, there will also be the ROC Cars that are so popular with the drivers and spectators. With its six speed sequential gearbox, great horsepower to weight ratio (175 bhp for less than 400 kgs) and superb handling the completely neutral ROC Cars are perfect for the decisive heats which can get pretty intense!"

Ford Focus WRC

Engine:
1998cc
Four cylinders
16 valves
300bhp at 6000rpm

Transmission:
Sequential gearbox
Five-speed
Electro-hydraulically controlled shift
Four-wheel drive

Body Shell:
Length: 4362mm Width: 1800mm
Weight: 1230kg

Aston Martin Vantage N24

Engine:
4300cc
V8 all alloy
32 valve
410bhp at 7500rpm

Transmission:
Six-speed Sportshift semi-automatic gearbox
Rear-wheel drive

Body Shell:
Length: 4380 mm
Width: 1865 mm
Weight: 1350kg

ROC Buggie

Engine:
1100 cc
4 cylinders
16 valves
170bhp at 9500rpm

Transmission:
Sequential gearbox
Six-speed
Rear-wheel drive

Body Shell:
Length: 3400 mm
Width: 2000mm
Weight: 475kg

-credit: raceofchampions.com