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Vettel heads Race of Champions line-up for first-ever Miami event
The Race Of Champions will be held in America for the first time next year as the stadium-based, all-star head-to-head motorsport extravaganza will take place in Miami on January 21-22.
Charles Bradley
Edited: Aug 23, 2016, 8:30 PM
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The unique event, which first ran in 1988, was most-recently held in London’s Olympic Park, having moved around from Barbados, Thailand, Germany, China and France.
The 2017 edition will take place at Miami’s Marlins Park baseball stadium, which was built in 2012 and can seat 37,000 fans.
Drivers from Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, Le Mans and WEC, MotoGP, WRC and the X Games will go head-to-head in identical machinery on a racetrack built inside the stadium.
Defending champion Vettel signs up again
Four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel took his first Champion of Champions title in London last year, and the Ferrari star will return to defend his crown in Miami.
Vettel said: “I’m very happy to have finally won the individual Race Of Champions title last year in London’s Olympic Stadium and I look forward to defending my title at ROC in Miami.
"All the drivers are strong, and the top US drivers from NASCAR and IndyCar will certainly be extra motivated to win in front of their home fans now that the event is being held in their country for the first time.
“This will also be the first time ROC has been held in a baseball stadium so I’m curious to discover the new track layout. But as always it’s the same track and identical cars for everyone so only driver skill makes the difference.
"The racing at ROC is always very intense and the head-to-head duels often decided by fractions of a second, so it’s just one strategy; flat out from start to finish!
“The Race Of Champions reminds us a lot about why we all first started racing; it’s about pure competition. The competition is very intense on the track and everyone wants to win, but it’s also about putting on a great show for the fans.
"I think all the drivers who have had the honour to participate in ROC fell in love with the event. It’s a privilege to be invited and to be able to come back.”
American stars Kurt Busch and Ryan Hunter-Reay have also been confirmed.
ROC's all-action, two-day format
The Race Of Champions is run over two days: first comes the Race Of Champions itself (on Saturday January 21) with a flat-out battle for individual glory.
Then on Sunday January 22 it’s the ROC Nations Cup, when drivers pair up in teams based on nationality to bid for the title of ‘World’s Fastest Nation’.
ROC President Fredrik Johnsson said: “We are thrilled to be bringing the Race Of Champions to the United States at last.
"Miami’s Marlins Park is a wonderful venue and it’s our first time inside a baseball stadium. Rest assured we will put together a truly memorable event for fans of fast cars and even faster drivers.
“American race fans are passionate about their sport and I’m sure they will enjoy the great competition and shows we put on.
"We look forward to welcoming a packed crowd to enjoy the sight of some of the world’s best drivers battling it out. If you like non-stop action, noise and excitement, the Race Of Champions is the perfect event for you.”
Tickets for ROC Miami are now available via www.raceofchampions.com.
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