Schumacher and Rossi at the 2004 Race of Champions

The seventeenth edition of the "Race of Champions - Nations Cup", scheduled for 4 December 2004 at the "Stade de France" in Paris, will see Michael Schumacher and Valentino Rossi involved among others. After having won everything possible in Formula 1 and MotoGP, the German champion and the Pesaro native then decided to also try to triumph in the rally. The unique competition, which involves direct challenges with identical machines, is traditionally tackled on parallel courses, which on this occasion will be carried out not in the traditional setting of the Canary Islands, but temporarily sacrificing the turf of the main Parisian stadium. “The Race of Champions – Nations Cup” is basically a team competition, which takes place between the best drivers of all automotive and motorcycle disciplines grouped by nationality. Among the countries that have won the event in the past are Finland, France, Spain and the United States, while on an individual basis, as easily predictable, rally champions of the caliber of Sebastien Loeb, Juha Kankkunen, Stig Blomqvist, Didier Auriol, Tommi Makinen, Carlos Sainz, Colin McRae and Marcus Gronholm. Schumi, who will captain the German selection, will have to deal with other fierce veterans of the discipline including the current leader of the WRC, Sebastien Loeb. In the past, other F1 drivers such as Fernando Alonso, Cristiano da Matta, Olivier Panis and Nick Heidfeld have also participated in the race.

“This year, the spectators at the Stade de France will witness a fantastic spectacle,” enthused Michele Mouton, mastermind of the ROC and 1982 rally vice-champion. “The fact that Michael Schumacher accepted our invitation to participate excites us. Certainly the most talented rally drivers will not want to be beaten by a track specialist, even if he is a six-time world champion! And with a host of other top names yet to be announced, I believe we are preparing for what promises to be the most exciting Race of Champions in history.”

“I am really looking forward to participating in the Race of Champions for the first time,” added Schumacher. “I've seen her on TV before and she looks like a lot of fun.”