#99-Carl Edwards is in Dusseldorf, Germany this weekend driving in the Race of Champions, a competition matching drivers from an assortment of countries and disciplines. Edwards and extreme/action sports driver Travis Pastrana, 11 times a gold medalist in the X Games, will team to represent the United States against such drivers as Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel, former F1 champ Michael Schumacher, World Rally king Sebastien Loeb and Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen. Competition is scheduled Saturday and Sunday on a purpose-built stadium course in Dusseldorf. The drivers will race on parallel tracks with a crossover bridge that results in each driver traveling the same distance after two laps. Pastrana has signed a deal with Michael Waltrip Racing to run several Nationwide Series races next year. ‘Im going with Travis Pastrana, so Ill be curious to talk to him a little bit about that,’Â Edwards said. ‘Hes a wild man. I think that will be good for him to come here. Hopefully, he does well. We go over there, and I get to see a country Ive never seen. I get to race against guys like Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel and Sebastien Loeb ‘Â hes amazing. Thatll be fun.’Â Edwards left the U.S. Thursday after enjoying Thanksgiving with his family and is scheduled to return Tuesday so he can be in Las Vegas for next weeks Champions Week activities. In Dusseldorf, the drivers will compete in a variety of cars, including the Porsche 911, the Audi R8 LMS and the Volkswagen Scirocco. Edwards also raced in the ROC in 2008 in London. Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon also have represented the U.S. in the event, which crowns individual and team champions.(SPEED)(11-27-2010)
UPDATE: World champion Sebastian Vettel was stunned by former Red Bull young driver Filipe Albuquerque, who emerged a surprise winner of the Race of Champions in Dusseldorf. The annual event, which pits stars from across the world of motorsport, has never been won by a current F1 driver, and that trend continued when Vettel was beaten by the former GP2 driver in the semi-finals. Vettel had won the battle of the F1 drivers, knocking out Michael Schumacher in the quarter-finals in front of their home crowd. The pair had raced together to claim victory for Germany in the Nations Cup on Saturday, but Vettel took the bragging rights when he progressed to the last four (ESPNF1)
AND Spins in heats helped Alain Prost, Travis Pastrana, Tanner Foust and Mick Doohan to early exits. Also eliminated before the quarter finals were Carl Edwards, Jason Plato and Jeroen Bleekemolen (Racer)
QUOTES Carl Edwards: ‘I did the best I could. Thanks to all the fans for coming out here; it has been a fun event and I have enjoyed it. I just needed to win something! The issue is I race on lots bigger tracks than this but I should still be able to pick it up. I got a good run in my second race but had a bit of trouble on the last lap and lost against Filipe Albuquerque. This event is a challenge because these drivers are very good and everyone is a champion. They are very competitive – everyone is smiling but they are still very competitive.’Â
Travis Pastrana: ‘In my first race the car stalled, I have no idea why, so I had no chance. I just choked on the last bend of my race against Tom Kristensen, my second race. I took it a bit too easy on the last lap and then pushed too hard on the last turn. Tom’s a great driver and I got knocked out but that’s the way it goes.’Â(Race of Champions)(11-28-2010)
