Jamie Whincup confirmed for 2014 Race of Champions

Jamie Whincup confirmed for 2014 Race of Champions
Jamie Whincup will head to Barbados for the Race of Champions event in December. Photo c/o: Red Bull Media

Jamie Whincup has confirmed he will compete at this year’s Race Of Champions in Barbados.

Whincup returns to the Race of Champions after making his debut in 2012 when he became the first Australian V8 Supercars driver to compete in the unique event. Alongside motorcycle racing legend Mick Doohan in Team Australia, the duo, made it to the semi-finals of the Nations Cup.

Whincup will head to Barbados for the event, to be held at the Bushy Park Circuit from December 13-14, following the final round of the V8 Supercars Championship, the Sydney 500.

“I’m delighted to be back competing in the Race Of Champions again,” Whincup said.

“I really enjoyed my visit to ROC Bangkok in 2012 and will use the experience from my rookie year to be more competitive this time in Barbados.

“Bangkok was the first time I had driven a left-hand-drive car so a little more practice in the coming months will no doubt help me out for the race.”

Among those already confirmed for the event are nine-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tom Kristensen, Formula One’s Romain Grosjean (the reigning ROC Champion of Champions) and this year’s Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay.

The remainder of the field will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event.

Whincup was set to compete in last year’s Race of Champions, but the event which was scheduled to take place in Thailand was cancelled due to political unrest.

“We are thrilled that Jamie will be coming back to the Race Of Champions for a second time in December,” ROC organiser Fredrik Johnsson said.

“He is the only V8 Supercar champion to join us at ROC so far – and one look at his record shows just what an outstanding driver he is.

“Five titles is an amazing performance in any series and you’d have to be bold to bet against him making it six before we go to Barbados.

“Jamie will then have a chance to add even more glory at the Race Of Champions. With a year’s experience behind him he’s sure to be a major competitor and no one will relish taking on such a relentless winner.

“We hope a packed house in Barbados will enjoy seeing Jamie race against the best drivers from all over the world.”

Leave a comment