The 2004 Race of Champions took place on December 4 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Unlike previous events at a gravel course in Gran Canaria, the new Stade de France event was all-tarmac, so road racers became more competitive than rally drivers.
The Nations' Cup underwent some significant changes - nations were now represented by only two competitors instead of three, with the motorcyclists axed. In addition, the rules regarding having one rally driver and one circuit driver were relaxed, leading to some all-circuit driver teams. As the host nation, France was permitted to field two teams.
The individual event was won by a then-relatively unknown Heikki Kovalainen, and the team event by Jean Alesi and Sébastien Loeb representing France. There was also a special "World Champions Challenge" race held between 2004 Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher and 2004 world rally champion Sébastien Loeb, which Schumacher won.
Participants CountryDriver 1Driver 2Brazil Felipe Massa Tony KanaanFinland Heikki Kovalainen Marcus GrönholmFrance Jean Alesi Sébastien LoebFrance (Team PlayStation) Sébastien Bourdais Stéphane SarrazinGermany Michael Schumacher Armin SchwarzGreat Britain David Coulthard Colin McRaeSweden Kenny Bräck Mattias EkströmUSA Casey Mears* Jimmie Johnson * - Casey Mears was a last-minute substitute for Jeff Gordon, who was hospitalized with the flu and told not to participate in this event by doctors while at NASCAR's awards banquet in New York City that week.
Race of Champions
Racing Group
Rallying Group
Final Driver 1 Time 1 Car Driver 2 Time 2 Heikki Kovalainen 1:42.2602 Peugeot 307 WRC Sébastien Loeb 1:43.0579 Heikki Kovalainen 1:47.4383 Ferrari 360 Modena Sébastien Loeb 1:55.5842
World Champions Challenge Driver 1 Time 1 Car Driver 2 Time 2 Michael Schumacher 1:46.7832 ROC Car Sébastien Loeb 1:46.9166 Michael Schumacher 1:43.6134 ROC Car Sébastien Loeb 1:43.3109 Michael Schumacher 1:41.8246 ROC Car Sébastien Loeb 1:42.7484
The Nations Cup
Quarterfinals Team 1 Time 1 Score Team 2 Time 2 Car France 2-0 Team PlayStation France Jean Alesi 1:50.3002 Sébastien Bourdais 1:51.2661 Ferrari 360 Modena Sébastien Loeb 1:44.1263 Stéphane Sarrazin 1:47.5831 Peugeot 307 WRC Brazil 2-0 Germany Felipe Massa 1:50.1074 Michael Schumacher 1:53.7634 Ferrari 360 Modena Tony Kanaan 1:49.7582 Armin Schwarz 1:50.0430 Citroën Xsara WRC Great Britain 2-1 USA David Coulthard 1:56.2226 Casey Mears 1:53.5186 Ferrari 360 Modena Colin McRae 1:53.9080 Jimmie Johnson 2:15.4507 Citroën Xsara WRC David Coulthard 1:44.7981 Casey Mears 1:45.0045 Ferrari 360 Modena Finland 2-0 Sweden Heikki Kovalainen 1:46.6362 Kenny Bräck 1:51.3292 Ferrari 360 Modena Marcus Grönholm 1:49.0011 Mattias Ekström 1:49.6333 Citroën Xsara WRC
Semifinals Team 1 Time 1 Score Team 2 Time 2 Car France 2-0 Brazil Jean Alesi 1:41.7459 Felipe Massa 1:42.1434 ROC Car Sébastien Loeb 1:47.0386 Tony Kanaan 1:51.4750 Citroën Xsara WRC Great Britain 0-2 Finland David Coulthard 1:43.6151 Heikki Kovalainen 1:41.6780 ROC Car Colin McRae 1:46.7798 Marcus Grönholm 1:43.8857 Peugeot 307 WRC
Final Team 1 Time 1 Score Team 2 Time 2 Car France 3-2 Finland Jean Alesi 1:42.2688 Heikki Kovalainen 1:40.8116 ROC Car Sébastien Loeb 1:44.8087 Marcus Grönholm 1:46.0491 Citroën Xsara WRC Jean Alesi 1:57.9157 (penalty) Heikki Kovalainen 1:46.8295 Ferrari 360 Modena Sébastien Loeb 1:43.1858 Marcus Grönholm 1:44.3120 Peugeot 307 WRC Jean Alesi 2:22.4891 Heikki Kovalainen DNF Ferrari 360 Modena
References
External links History 2004