When my cousin called and said she had got tickets for a car racing event and that I should keep my Sunday free I thought it was some local racing event. Moreover since I was crazy busy at work, doing late hours I didn’t even get a chance to check out the event on the net.
So it was a total surprise …and a pleasant one at that when I reached there and realized that all the world champs were there…
Called The Race of Champions, it brings together drivers and racers from all forms of motorsport to see who’s the fastest. It’s unique as the competitors use exactly the same cars on a parallel track so that the drivers’ talent behind the wheel becomes the deciding factor.
There are 2 titles to be won – The Champion of Champions at the individual level and The Nations Cup to decide the fastest motor sport nation on the planet.
The likes of F1 Champion Michael Schumacher, F1 drivers Jenson Button and David Coulthard, World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, Triple Champ Car Champion Sébastien Bourdais, Tom Kristensen, Mattias Ekström, Jimmie Johnson took part in this event.
Former World Rally Champion Colin McRae was supposed to take part. But due to his untimely death a couple of months back his seat was offered to his brother - Alister McRae.
The National teams (of two drivers) that participated for the cup were England, Scotland, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Finland and USA.
Wembley Stadium had been turned into a mini motor racing circuit. The race was in a knockout competition format …so we had a short races one after the other…
The cars (and drivers) seemed to have too much power for the narrow track. Moreover the track seemed too small and with too many turns...many times while maneuvering the curves I felt that the car moved horizontally and would just go off the track…Upteen times they brushed against the walls and dividers…all of which added to the excitement in the crowd…
In between the races, while the cars were being prepared for the next race, we had the other car events on the track as well as motorbike display riders
I think it was Travis (not sure)…who really entertained everyone with his car antics on the race track. He performed what is called the doughnut- literally he made the car go round and round in the same place…and after giving it a lot of race he jumped out of the car…and the car kept going in circles…it was toooooo kewl…
And then as part of a funny act - he got into another car and was about to speed off…but was stopped…so he jumped back into the car that was moving in circles and drove off the track….Amazing….
The motorbike riders were also excellent…Its like.. they fling themselves into the air and the bike seems weightless in their hands as the turn over mid air…
Many times we see car races and motor bike riders performing on TV…but live …is another experience altogether….
Thanks to my cousin for an unforgettable day…
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