Kanaan teams up with Felipe Massa

Drivers due to line-up on Saturday for this year's star-studded Race of Champions – Nations Cup have had their first opportunity to test the spectacular figure-of-eight circuit specially laid out for the circumstance at the Stade de France, Paris.

With the exception of Michael Schumacher and the USA team pair, who arrive on Saturday morning, they all found the 1 km all-tarmac track extremely challenging, and the prospect of competing in the 62,000- capacity stadium uniquely stimulating.

"I think it's going to be a terrific show," said 2004 WRC Sébastien Loeb. "It's a great idea to put a track here, in the Stade de France, here in the centre of Paris . The track itself is quite narrow and the cars will slide, which is nice for the spectators. I spent my runs this afternoon getting accustomed to the different cars we will be driving on Saturday. I obviously know the Citroën Xsara WRC, but the controls of the Peugeot 307 WRC are a bit different and the Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge and the ROC Cars are very different altogether. It would be nice to win; I will do my best to win, but the important thing is the show."

The Frenchman's analysis was echoed by all the drivers present in Paris today including Scottish all-rounder Colin McRae. "It's going to be great fun. The track is challenging and it will be important to have a good feeling with the different cars," said the former Champion. "If it stays dry it shouldn't be too slippery. It's the first time I've ever set foot in the Stade de France. Today the grandstands were empty but in a front of a packed house tomorrow the atmosphere promises to be really great."

Meanwhile, organisers of The Race of Champions – Nations Cup have revealed that just 6000 tickets remain for the greatest motor sport spectacle of the year.

“We have sold 56,000 tickets so far,” said event organiser Fredrik Johnsson. “The capacity for the Stade de France with our track is 62,000 so we are very pleased. The fans will not be disappointed, we have the most significant line- up of international drivers ever assembled and competition will be fierce.”

E.A.
Source, ROC