On the Line: The Race of Champions (2020) - full transcript
This one-hour documentary draws on three decades of Race Of Champions archive and the personal reflections from more than 20 drivers spanning generations in the sport including Michael ...
♪[tense music]
♪♪
[deep engine revving]
♪♪
[distant French announcer]
♪♪
[engine revving]
♪[title music]
♪♪
[cars taking off]
♪[music]
[French announcer]
[crowd cheers]
♪♪
It's a celebration
of motor sport.
It's a celebration of how lucky
we are to be professionals,
which essentially means
you're paid to do
what you would do for nothing.
♪♪
It opened my mind
to really appreciate all of the
great competitors
around the world.
[car roaring]
[crowd cheering]
♪♪
So you compete against drivers
from different formulas
from all over the world,
whether it be NASCAR, world
of rallying, touring cars,
and in the case of ex-Formula
1 driver, Michael Schumacher,
making his racing return.
♪[upbeat music]
-It never happened
to me before that,
that I compete with rally
drivers and my competitors
in the same car.
I mean all of us, we have a big
smile on our face. That's, uh,
that's a good thing about it.
When you do a race weekend
in Formula 1,
you be always so serious,
so concentrated
that it doesn't leave much space
to see who is the person behind.
And in those events, everything
is a little bit more easy.
And you should see a little bit
more about the personal side.
COULTHARD: What I've always done
in explaining to people
what Race Of Champions is,
is that they can see up close
and personal
why we love competition,
why we love getting behind the
wheel of a car.
It doesn't have to be
a race car,
It can be any form of car,
whether it's the buggies
or the KTM's.
And it's just pure competition.
-It's tough, you know.
It's a quick shootout. It can be
one way or the other,
but so far I feel good. So,
let's see. You know,
the fans are ready.
So, I did need to do my bit,
to make sure I survive
the group stage
and then we see
where we go.
VETTEL: Who is this?
INTERVIEWER: It's
your competitor.
-Is it?
-Yeah.
-But he is blonde.
So he's as stupid
as I am.
-He keeps checking the
temperature of your tires.
-Which car is mine?
-Your's is white,
mine is orange.
-Why, you want to change?
-No, I don't want to change.
-I think white is much faster.
-So between you,
who's going to win?
-It will be the quicker one.
♪[music]
[engine noise]
♪♪
[crowd cheer]
♪♪
♪♪
-Yeah. I mean, you can never
be confident here
because it's instant
knockout. So,
and you know, yeah. Small
mistake. You're out.
[screaming F1 engine]
[crowd cheer]
♪[subdued music]
COULTHARD: Formula 1 is
highly, you know,
aerodynamic and a thousand
horsepower and big wide tires
and all the rest of it.
So you rely on so much
engineering and the variation
between the cars and the
teams is the dominant factor.
We've been thrown the challenge
of driving all these
different cars. So,
in my mind it is as
good a leveler
and as good an
indication as,
that moment in history
and those two vehicles
with those two competitors
who gets it right and
who gets it wrong.
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Sebastian, there
was a collective,
quite colorful swearing in
German from every angle
when you lost that.
Tell us what happened.
-I went into the first corner
and lost a little bit,
the car, in the entrance
and then the cars, they have
quite a lot of momentum,
so it took a while to catch it
and there I lost too much time.
Otherwise I think it would
have been enough to stay ahead.
But that's how it goes.
-That was a very special feelingfor everyone here, I think.
It's fantastic to see Filipe
Albuquerque coming from so far,
ending up beating the world -
Formula 1 World Champion
and the World Rally Champion
in the same night.
It's proper racing.
COULTHARD: Any loss is not good,
but the reality is if
you look at
the most successful driver in
Formula 1, Michael Schumacher,
he lost more than he won.
So in many respects
that wouldn't be a great
statistic if you're a boxer.
But in motor sports,
you know those losses make you
really appreciate the victories.
♪♪
[silence]
♪[pensive music]
♪♪
JOHNSSON: The idea was to bring
together the best drivers
and make them compete
on identical cars
to see who's really
the fastest.
♪[percussive music]
[engine noise, red lining]
♪♪
-Michèle is one of the few
women in any sport
that has competed with men
on the highest level
and beaten them.
And especially in a sport
like rallying
which at the time was
extremely physical
long distances and
very powerful cars.
♪♪
[crowd cheers]
♪♪
[intense engine sounds]
♪♪
[intense engine sounds]
♪♪
♪♪
♪[somber music]
♪♪
MOUTON: It was the 10th
anniversary of
the World Rally Drivers
Championship.
Henri Toivonen was a
very good friend first,
he was a very fast driver and
for sure he would have been
world champion
if hadn't died
in Corsica in '86.
♪[music becomes valiant]
Fredrik had the idea for
The Race Of Champions.
Every single one of
my former rivals
accepted the invitation
for the first event.
We also realized that Henri
would surely have
been one of them.
So we added a souvenir Henri
Toivonen bronze trophy
where after 30 years of
Race Of Champions,
the winner's names
are still engraved each year.
INTERVIEWER: What about the
plans for the future?
What are you going to do
to keep the fans
happy for the
coming years?
-The Race Of Champions
is a concept
where there's two cars,
two identical cars,
top drivers going
head-to-head
on a circuit where the
spectators can really see
the entire spectacle,
where the television
can cover it.
It's, you know, you're
starting with
some of the top drivers
in the world
and at the end you've
got a Champion of Champions
two hours later.
It's something
that, you know,
improves the image of
the sport and, you know,
really makes it reach
a lot more spectators.
♪[focused music]
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: Hugging the coast
off North Africa,
the Canaries are subtropical,
but in the tropic
sometimes you get rain
and boy when it rains
it really rains.
♪♪
JOHNSSON: For the first time in
Canarias it's been raining
and they're not used
to it, you know.
It was four years
in a row
we've had great sunshine,
25 degrees.
It's been four months
before the event,
no rain at all
and it's all coming
at the same time.
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: Blomqvist has
got the edge.
[ambient crowd noise]
♪♪
He's on the left.
Biasion on the right.
Through the deep water.
That water on that
corner is getting worse.
♪♪
-Such a difficult
track today
with this water.
It is so difficult
for everybody.
♪♪
-We had a little
run yesterday
and the first time
was frightening
to say the least.
The second time I was
a little bit less scared,
but I'm certainly not
ready, that's for sure.
INTERVIEWER: Have you done
anything off road before?
-No, only crashing.
-Welcome from the sunny
Canary Islands
in the mid-Atlantic.
We're here for the
15th running
of the Michelin
Race Of Champions.
It is the ultimate
head-to-head contest
between people from all
forms of motor sport.
Traditionally, it's
been a rally event,
but more recently
we've had guys
from Formula 1,
guys from NASCAR,
as we've got this year.
Behind me in this car
is Jimmie Johnson,
rookie of the year
from NASCAR.
Jimmie, you're confident?
-We're going to have fun.
We've got the best in the
world I've got to race against.
So we're going to just
have a good time
and see what happens.
-Can you beat Jimmie?
-I don't know yet.
-You ought to be able to.
-I hope.
♪[blues music]
-It's just all about gettingused to different circumstances.
I mean, I think a
good race car driver
can adapt to any different
type of atmosphere
or circumstances.
I've raced a lot of different
types of surfaces,
but I've never driven
anything like this.
You know, there's shifting
and things like that. So,
totally different really
than anything I've done.
I guess maybe Jimmie
Johnson's probably closer to
something like this
when he did some of
the desert racing
and the stadium trucks.
♪♪
JOHNSON: I'm definitely
intimidated by failure.
I mean, nobody wants
to look bad.
My off-road background
certainly helped,
but I did feel like I
struggled pretty bad
driving in the Canaries
because the vehicles we
were in for ROC were
four-wheel drive and everything
I raced was two-wheel drive.
But there was a big
high speed left-hander
at the bottom
of the course
and I came in, in
my instinctive
flick for a two-wheel
drive vehicle
and then counter-steer
to catch it,
jump on the gas;
I did all of that.
And with four-wheel
drive,
you know the front tires pull
you where they're pointed
and with the counter-steer
that I put into it,
the car went right
and there was an opening
cut in this big dirt berm
and I stuffed it right
in that opening.
I felt so bad, but that's
the only - honestly,
the only time I've ever
raced a four-wheel drive.
-You spotted any potential placs
where you might
be able to get
an advantage here?
-I've spotted plenty of
opportunities
to get in trouble.
So I think if you just,
you know, make a clean lap
and, and smooth,
but you know,
don't make any mistakes
I think is probably
the biggest thing.
♪[upbeat blues music]
[car at high speed]
♪♪
[exclaiming]
♪♪
[loud impact]
♪♪
♪♪
[excited yelling]
♪♪
♪♪
[laughter]
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
-This is what happens when
you give a bunch of drivers,
a whole bunch of awesome
cars that aren't ours.
We just break everything.
♪[quick electronic music]
[crowd cheers, crashes]
♪♪
♪♪
COULTHARD: For me it's got to be
the fun interaction
with the other
drivers.
If it becomes like work,
then I wouldn't come.
So, it has to be enjoyable
and it's as much about what
happens around here
behind the scenes
as it is about being
out there on the track.
♪♪
-You're getting quicker and
quicker as the day goes on.
-Slowly the hangover from last
night is disappearing.
And things go straight.
-What is the penalty
if you've been touched
by another driver
in the toilet?
[laughter]
COULTHARD: One of the unique
aspects of Race Of Champions
that we never
get to experience
in other forms of racing
is the dressing room.
We're all there together
and that sets the scene
of the spirit of
Race Of Champions.
You get to look at
your competitors
all there together
and then you go out and
take on the individual races,
sharing that with competitors
-ROC! ROC! ROC!
-from IndyCar, NASCAR,
whatever it happens to be.
It's a gift.
ALL: Yay!
♪[electronic music]
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: In the Michelin
Nations Cup, teams of three
from Germany, Spain,
Finland, Italy,
France, Denmark,
and an all star trio
from Scotland, Finland
and Belgium.
-It's been great fun
and I think we all hadmoments of glory
and moments of joy,
and moments of scare.
So it's been pretty good.
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Are you doing
the right thing?
Or, should you be
doing rallying
or are you better
staying on two wheels?
-You're racing for the
pride of your nation.
So whether that's
team GB
or a team America or
whatever the nation that's,
that's being represented
at that time
and it gives us in motor sport
a unique opportunity
to go beyond the
individual desire
to win yourself,
where you can actually
represent your country as well.
And it brings you together with
your fellow national driver.
So I think that
in itself is, is,
is what makes the Nations Cup
a truly unique form
of motor sport.
♪♪
♪[pensive electronic music]
ANNOUNCER: Now, in the last 10
years of the Race Of Champions,
the Nations Cup has been won
by Scandinavia, France,
Finland, Spain and the USA.
But since 2007, it's been
dominated by one team,
Team Germany
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Pretty good result
for the home crowd so far.
-Yeah. So far, so good.
Obviously tough competition
in the next round
with team Germany.
-What are their strengths do
you think?
-Future potential multiple worldchampionship, and world
champion,
and actual multiple
world champion.
I'd say they were the two
pretty good strengths.
♪♪
-I think Germany and
Scandinavia will be in final.
They seem to be a strong
team both. So we will see.
-Germany won last year
so they're defending
Nations Cup champions
and will be a
tough competition.
I will do my best.
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Sebastian, that
was a good run
first time round
representing Germany.
-It feels great.
The secret is first of all
adapt to your car
and second, stay on
the track.
COULTHARD: I think what made
Michael and Sebastian so strong
at Race Of Champions
and Nations Cup
is whereas maybe it's 50/50
on the fun element
of all coming together,
I don't think they were
allowing too much fun
to get in the way of
the competition
until after they'd
won the event.
So they were very
focused, very serious.
And, you know that
played out in the results
at the end of the day.
And you know, they had a tight
bond and friendship,
which I think was something
they were able to
really strategize
and look at it.
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Your teammate is
Michael Schumacher.
That's great. You know,
a legend of Formula 1
and a current/future star.
VETTEL: Yeah. Even more,
he's a nice guy
and it's always
good fun
doing these kind of
things together with him.
And of course I
can rely on him.
So especially in the Nations Cup
if I should struggle,
which hopefully I won't,
he is the one to help me.
But I think in every team
you're relying on each other.
♪♪
I think the important thing
for Michael and myself
to work and being so strong
in the Nations Cup
was just, we had the timing
completely figured out.
I think if I had a weak moment,
he was there to fill it in and
it was the other way around.
And most of the time we went for
it and it worked.
But if it didn't, then
the other guy would,
you know, still be there.
And we didn't think too much.
We just, - we just had
a good time.
And I think that's, that
was really the secret.
I think there were - obviously
we wanted the cup
that was the target, but,
we were still laughing.
And I think we just
had a great time.
ANNOUNCER: Five in a row for
team Germany.
Schumacher runs onto the tarmac
to join his young teammate.
The seven time Formula 1
World Champion
and the current double
Formula 1 World Champion
are the most
successful drivers
in the ROC Nations Cup
since the creation
of the event.
[crowd cheering]
♪♪
-Number five,
be proud of us!
[speaking German]
[cheering]
♪♪
♪[bagpipe music]
COULTHARD: I started my career
in Formula 1
that came through the
death of Ayrton Senna.
And, you know, I was
his test driver,
but I didn't know
Ayrton personally.
I hadn't spent time with him
personally beyond, you know,
eating at the track or
at the hotel.
♪[subdued music]
Whereas it was
different with Colin.
Colin, we'd spent family time
together and, you know,
tragically along with the
others who passed away
in that helicopter accident
was his son Johnny.
So of course it is
tremendously upsetting
and I think that in those
moments you have to
look at the incredibly
enriching and positive moments
and the learnings you
get from these people.
When I could only honor Ayrton
by trying my best,
cause I couldn't equal
his capabilities,
it's the same
with Colin.
You honor, his memory by
doing your best and you know,
"We're here for a good time,
not a long time."
With others who knew
Colin, we'll say that,
because it's a tipping
of the cap
to the friends that we've
met along the way.
♪♪
Having the opportunity to team
up with Colin McRae
to go to the
Race Of Champions
was personally
one of the highlights,
because he was a friend
and was someone that was-just
had an infectious ability
to take people along
for the ride.
And those are some of the
strongest memories I have
from my motor sports
career, actually.
I would struggle to
remember grand prix victories,
but I definitely remember
hanging out with Colin
at Race Of Champions.
♪♪
You know, be
as quick as I can.
Neat and tidy. That's the
way to be quick around here.
So you know, it's
going to be tough.
-It's going to be tough
to be neat and tidy
when it's that slippy.
-Yeah, I mean it's going
to be entertaining,
that's for sure.
But all you can do is
give it your best shot.
♪♪
COULTHARD: In many ways
The Gran Canaria setup
[splash, hard accelerating]
probably suited Colin's
flamboyant style more.
Undoubtedly, he was someone
that was admired
by the other
great champions
from other disciplines
because he was just
known to be someone
that always gave
a hundred percent.
♪♪
-Jimmie Johnson,
how's it going?
It's been fun. I had a little
problem in practice
and hit a barrier, but
besides that it's
been a lot of fun.
It's been almost eight years
since I've been in a
buggy and five years since
I've been on the dirt.
So, I'm a little
rusty right now,
but definitely
having a lot of fun.
-What's the hardest thing to
get used to on these cars?
-The track's real narrow
and these buggies
run really good.
I'm very surprised,
but more than anything,
it's just narrow and
I haven't been on the dirt
in a while.
♪[slow anticipating music]
♪♪
-So I think everybody was
looking at the Americans
as NASCAR drivers just
driving around in circles
and Jimmie and Jeff
certainly proved
that they are
phenomenal drivers.
[chaotic in car engine sound]
♪♪
♪♪
COULTHARD: The American team
brought their A-game,
there's no question.
And it was fantastic to see
because that's exactly
what Race Of Champions
is about.
ANNOUNCER: Johnson, Jimmie
Johnson is stuck on the line.
The American NASCAR racer
has stalled his car.
But what's happened to Pizzonia?
Pizzonia seems to be slowing
and Johnson, he's going
like an absolute dream.
He's caught Pizzonia,
he's passed Pizzonia.
Jimmie Johnson who
stalled on the line wins.
COULTHARD: They came as
a proper team.
They came as
a united front.
They came with
a clear mission.
INTERVIEWER: You're still in
the Nations Cup
though for America.
I mean it's looking a
very strong team now.
-Yeah, I think we've got
a really strong team for it.
You know, we're going to be at
a disadvantage in some areas
but, you know, we're
here to have a great time
and have some fun and
meet some great drivers
and have a great experience.
And we're going to do that
regardless of how
it all ends up.
Racing opens up vulnerability
to any competitor,
even if you're in
your home country
and your favorite track,
so to travel like that
and to be, you know,
in a foreign country where
you don't speak
the native language.
I mean on top of the
insecurities we had as racers,
we couldn't communicate
with other drivers
and especially the
mechanics as you got
in and out of these vehicles
there are launch sequences,
turbo-charged cars,
handbrakes in different spots,
buttons to push.
We got half the information,
at best.
And that only fed the
insecurities we had
of being over there
representing our country.
[loud engine]
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: Gordon's quicker.
USA goes through to the finals.
COULTHARD: All credit
to team America
and to the
various competitors
that have represented
the team over the years.
They're fierce competitors
and the wins they've taken
in individual events and
other forms of racing
is inspirational
ANNOUNCER: Jeff Gordon,
the national hero
looks as if he's
got the edge.
And Gordon wins.
♪♪
The Americans can win
the Nations Cup
if Colin Edwards can
just keep it all together.
[cheering]
And Melandri
gets it wide.
Melandri spins
the car.
Colin Edwards has
won this for America.
He's won
the Nations Cup.
There are going to be
scenes of jubilation
as he crosses
the line.
Waiting for him
will be Jeff Gordon
and Jimmie Johnson
indeed.
JOHNSON: To win the Nations Cup
is something really unique
and doesn't
compare to
other races that I've won.
I mean, it's the only event
I've had where I
represented my country,
got on a plane,
flew far away and
carried that flag
and had a chance to, you
know, take our victory lap,
holding the American flag
with my teammates and
representing our country.
[cheering]
♪♪
♪[anthemic music]
In Gran Canaria we had
a very fast track.
a mix of gravel
and tarmac.
So going into the stadiums
we were a bit concerned
if there would be enough
space to build
a really spectacular track.
But we felt that the upside of
being in a major stadium
in a big city
was worth taking the risk.
And it paid off.
The team built a
phenomenal race track
in less than five days.
The stadium was sold out,
some big upsets,
and an epic atmosphere.
And we realized that
this is the future.
So after Paris we went
to Wembley Stadium
when they reopened in 2007.
And to Beijing and
the Birds Nest
just a year after
the Olympic Games.
Always trying to innovate,
always trying to bring
the best of racing
as close as possible
to the fans.
♪[music swells]
♪[percussive music]
♪♪
-My track design, of course,
has been inspired by
my driving time
in rallying.
I love the challenge of
having different cars
because you have
to adapt quickly
and you don't
have so much time.
The parallel track,
the crossover bridge,
brings spectacular action
in the stadium
in a place where
spectators can see everything.
Race Of Champions is really a
very convivial where
everybody's on
the same condition,
the same talent, and
a lot of same skills.
So it's really showing in
a very short time
who is the best in
the good atmosphere.
♪♪
♪[ethereal music]
♪♪
[subtle in car sound]
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Marcus is the
world champion.
You've beat him in a,
you know, a real rally.
And what about here?
♪[anticipating music]
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: Monsieur
Sébastien Loeb!
[announcements in French]
[engine revs]
♪[electronic music]
ANNOUNCER: This is Seb Loeb
versus Marcus Groönholm.
Listen to the gearbox
whirring away.
Loeb gunning for
an advantage.
Gunning for the win.
Ahead of Marcus Groönholm.
The Citroeën team
cheering him on,
and Loeb getting
the win.
Seb Loeb going through.
♪♪
-Over the years
Obviously I've
been fortunate
to participate
many times,
and over the years, you know,
you spend time with
the greatest of all times,
like Sébastien Loeb.
I have a great admiration
for rally drivers,
what they are able to do
with the cars,
without any runoff
really. I mean,
if you're lucky then
you miss the trees,
but most of the time you
don't when you go off.
So, I have a huge respect
for what they do.
So in a way it's like
meeting your heroes
when you meet the
different guys.
♪♪
-Loeb changed the
approach in rally.
He changed the driving.
You suddenly didn't see
the cars sliding
so much on the
entry anymore.
He was able to make sure that
times came from exiting
a lot of corners and
making sure that the
mistakes were zero.
Incredibly talented.
To combine that versatility from
Race Of Champions
from the World Rally, from
the touring car and also
from his years racing at the 24
hours of Le Mans.
I can say I'm glad he didn't
succeed completely at that,
because then I
would have had
one Le Mans victory less.
ANNOUNCER: Loeb lands and
Coulthard can see him in front.
He knows that there's a slender
chance, it's very close,
but Loeb takes it by
three-tenths of a second.
He is for the third time
the Champion of Champions.
-No embarrassment
to be beaten by
a five-time consecutive
rally champion.
He's a great driver and
I'm just very happy to have
made the final
with so many
good drivers here.
-Ladies and gentlemen,
Champion of Champions
and runner-up.
♪[methodic music]
♪♪
[cars takeoff]
♪♪
[crowd cheering]
♪♪
I'm really, really proud to
compete against Seb. And
to beat him,
it's even nicer.
♪♪
[car echoes in garage]
♪[tense music]
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: Two former winners
on the start line,
Heikki Kovalainen wants a
Champion of Champions,
Sébastien Loeb, three times.
Away, they go in the
Audi R8 LMS machines.
This is a close battle.
The first of the
round-robin matches
four groups of four drivers,
each driver races
all of the rivals
in his group and
Loeb sideways.
Oh my goodness!
[crash]
And Kovalainen crashes
through the finish line.
That's a big impact.
Victory for Loeb.
Heikki Kovalainen's girlfriend
in the passenger seat
as he loses control after
touching the wall
on the finishing stripe.
Broken suspension.
He's okay and so is she.
♪♪
-I think that you're really
on show
and I think it'd be
very easy to look
completely foolish.
And I think I probably would
think very carefully
about taking this on.
♪[brooding music]
[French announcer]
[crowd cheering]
♪[music swells]
♪♪
[silence]
I have to say Michael
Schumacher, he's amazing.
I mean he's just so smooth and
he's inch perfect
or centimeter perfect and
♪[dreamy music]
♪[dreamy music]
and he pulls it off.
♪♪
I think that Michael has
something special about him
when you watch him driving.
Is that just you
have the feeling
as if he's always in control
of what he's doing.
I think he's the greatest
there ever was.
The timing was
just spot on.
♪♪
[inaudible]
♪[hard rock music]
-For me the excitement
comes from the unknown,
the excitement and the challengeis trying something new.
♪♪
ANNOUNCER:This is for bragging
rights against Dusty Wygle.
Come on Trav!
Make it!
-Here he goes.
He got it!
[surprised laughter]
-We did it!
We really did it!
INTERVIEWER: We're beginning to
learn about freestyle motocross
here in Europe,
but in America he is
a mega-superstar.
-He is. I mean, he's so
talented. You know,
we were talking about how
many times he's crashed
and how many
bones he's broken
and to me, he's crazy.
He's absolutely crazy,
so it's cool to see him
out here on four wheels.
-Don't give it
too much air now.
-No, hoping for a lot of air.
Hopefully no rolls though.
We'll see what we can do
with the USA, man. Let's go!
ANNOUNCER: This is Travis
Pastrana in the white ROC buggy
against Fonsi Nieto.
[hard accelerating÷}
PASTRANA: I race Race
Of Champions because it gives
someone like me,
coming from motorcycles
and being a redneck,
who just loves to
drive and race,
a chance to just go
strictly on raw talent.
It's really difficult to
jump into NASCAR
and jump into all
these sports where
these guys have been
competing their whole lives.
You come to
Race Of Champions,
it's a free-for-all.
But, you know what?
You might pull those guys
in a ROC buggy
or something that's
like what I grew up
on the farm with.
I'm like, this is going
to be awesome!
♪♪
COULTHARD: Whatever the normal
voltage of a human being
should be, he's definitely runng
some overvoltage. You know,
he's got an incredible
level of energy.
[hard accelerating]
♪[loud hard rock music]
EKSTROM: Even if he
doesn't win,
I know he's up
for the best show.
I like his style because
he's wild and crazy,
but he has full control.
♪♪
♪[rock music]
♪♪
-So Travis Pastrana
is clearly,
an exceptional athlete.
That passion and that
infectious smile,
I think is something
that really connects
and just an incredible
appetite for competition.
♪♪
-I want to prove that I'm
better than the Indy guys,
that I'm better
than NASCAR guys,
that I'm better than
the F1 guys
and it's bragging
rights, man.
Almost every driver
thinks their the best.
That's the one thing that
we all have going for us.
We come in with the outmost
confidence and overconfidence
in our abilities, that no matter
who we're up against
and what we're driving,
we're going to figure
out a way to win.
ANNOUNCER: And Pastrana
looking a little wild
and into the side of the
track and rolling the car.
Pastrana completely
destroying
a brand new
Mitsubishi.
Groönholm looking to see what
happened in the mirror
behind his car.
PASTRANAA: The things that
I excelled at,
and I found out
really early,
was that I was extremely
durable
and that I wasn't
afraid to risk things.
A lot of my friends have
been paralyzed or worse
in some cases but,
everyday they
wake up alive,
they have an opportunity
to do something great.
ANNOUNCER: Pastrana, he's used g
wild things on two wheels
and now he's got a reputation
for doing it on four.
-And now they're excluding me
from the race.
You're not
allowed to roll.
-I could live
with myself
if I got hurt trying
to be the best
than knowing that
I didn't try.
That you'd never know if
you could have made it.
-In our regulation on
under the article,
it is quite clearly marked
that if you roll the car
it is exclusion.
-So,
good to know now
♪[rising music]
COULTHARD: He's able to brush
off accidents and incidents
and you know, it's almost
like a Monty Python sketch
where, you know, his
leg might be busted,
but he just straps it
up and continues.
"It's only a
flesh wound!"
PASTRANA: One of the only reasos
Fredrik and the
guys invited me
to Race Of Champions
at the beginning,
was because -
They're like,
"All right, well,
"we're going to let you
drive these cars,
"but you're going
to put on
"a little bit
of a show."
And I just thought,
"you know what?
"Let's do it."
-He did a test jump,
came up short,
looked like he
was gonna die.
He clearly hurt himself.
He was walking around,
like, in clear pain,
but as soon as somebody
approached him
and asked him,
"How are you doing?"
"Oh great. Doing great.
No problem at all."
-I hear you injured yourself
doing a back flip.
How's your leg?
-Perfect.
A little bit sore, but
we're good to go, man.
For the cars, I'm
a hundred percent.
-I didn't get the meters
to feet so good
and then ended up breaking
the growth plate in my knee
literally 20 minutes before
I was supposed to get in the car
and race Sébastien Loeb.
And my knee swelled up.
But I knew if I said anything,
the doctors are going
to pull me out.
JOHNSSON: He almost beat the
World Rally Champion,
Sébastien Loeb on
the Citroeën WRC.
Two corners before
the finish line,
he was just a
few meters behind
and he went all out
for it and crashed.
♪♪
PASTRANA: These guys
are all gamers.
They're going to prey
on your weakness
and you have to understand
that if you show any,
you're going to lose.
[loud engine, crowd]
♪♪
-Travis, for sure
doesn't have any fear
and I don't think he can
feel any pain as well.
The very first time
I met him,
he came back on crutches
and he was still able
to race and compete.
COULTHARD: So he's made
of strong stuff
and when you get to hang
out with someone like that,
it's inspirational and
it makes you toughen up.
Travis, is definitely one
of the joys of being invited
to take part in
Race Of Champions.
♪[uplifting music]
ANNOUNCER: Welcome to the
Caribbean island of Barbados,
back to its roots
on an outdoor circuit
after years in stadium
tracks around the world.
-It's going to be Coulthard!
The Scotsman goes
through to the final.
-Time to find the champion
old-hand Coulthard versus
young gun Wehrlein.
-Up and over,
round and under.
David Coulthard is
millimeter perfect.
Wehrlein doesn't have the
experience of Coulthard.
Wehrlein's gone off!
And David Coulthard becomes
the Champion of Champions.
The Scot has finally claimedthe Race Of Champions title.
COULTHARD: So interestingly, the
only winning trophy
I have at home is from the
Barbados Race Of Champions.
It was the first time my son
was old enough to understand
that I'd been a racing driver
and was competing
in the event
and he wanted me to bring
the trophy home.
It's the biggest trophy
I've ever won.
And it was taller than he was.
It's a great memory
of that event,
the competition and all
of the good times
that go into taking part
in Race Of Champions.
♪[electronic music]
-In my career, I've been
able to achieve
two Formula 1 Esports
championships.
And before the event, I didn't
have a driver's license,
I didn't ever drive
a real car before.
So I jumped into
the event
and literally my first
experience on a track
was driving a car flat-out.
-And when I first seen
them in the cars,
personally, I thought,
"My goodness,
"this is a nightmare.
What have we done?"
♪♪
-There's a big risk of
crashing of course.
There's a big risk of wiping
your opponent out
as well and looking
like a dumb-ass.
That's the biggest
risk for any driver.
That's what's going through
their mind first.
And then the moment the flag
drops and they're driving
the risk goes completely
out the window
until they either
crash or they lose.
♪♪
LEIGH: I don't hold myself back.
I would much rather
make a mistake
and learn from
the mistake
than never make
the mistake.
-But, I want to see the
car out of shape.
I want to see what they do when
it gets just beyond that limit,
because that's what makes
a great racing driver.
-At first, jumping in
the car coming here
was a bit terrifying.
GRANT: I've trained Enzo, day 1
when we put him in the car,
he scared the crap
out of me.
I thought he was
going to kill me.
He was fearless;
he was trying to
drive the car
like he would drive
the Sim car
and it doesn't work
like that in real life.
So actually when Enzo did
beat Lucas on the track,
I felt extremely proud that
he's come through the process.
Now, he's very, very fast
and that just shows
that they proved it:
They can get in a real car,
they can learn the craft
and actually be very, very
quick and beat some
extremely good, quick,
fast pro drivers.
♪♪
COULTHARD: It's no
big surprise to me
to see how successful some
of the eGamers have become,
not only as professionals
in their own fields,
but also in the crossover
to full-time motor sport.
GRANT: They totally changed.
They listen, they learn,
they take information,
they process it,
and then turn it
into real life action.
So honestly,
I feel quite proud
on the journey
that they've had.
They're representing the
whole community from eRacers.
This is a massive achievement
for them, massive.
-They go from these
scared kids,
"Oh no, I'm going to get
in this car and die."
To actually jump out
the car at the end and
they're like, "Oh wow,
That was brilliant."
LEIGH: When I was a kid,
I wouldn't even want to go to
answer the door to someone;
I was that shy.
And then being put on a
plane, come to the event,
drive some real cars,
meet some famous people.
And to be around racing
drivers who are very,
very successful and to pick up
little bits of knowledge
what they've done
in their life
and I can start implementing
it into my career,
really gave me a lot
of self-confidence.
And since then I started
to grow as a person.
I think that information
for me is unbeatable.
♪[dramatic rising music]
ANNOUNCER: A new line-up for
team Germany as Mick Schumacher
joins his father's old
teammate, Sebastian Vettel.
-I'm really looking forward
to Race Of Champions.
We will come out
on top with Sebastian.
And yeah I'm just really,
really thrilled for it.
COULTHARD: It's emotional to see
Mick representing team Germany,
given the difficulties that
the family has gone through,
and the difficulties that
Michael has gone through,
but we hope that we
can see Michael there
watching Mick compete and get
some victories in the future.
JOHNSON: Win, lose, or draw,
the experience of ROC
is unlike anything else.
KRISTENSEN: It's always within
a tiny little fraction
of either winning
or losing.
VETTEL: At least one of us
will get defeated.
PRIAULX: There's only one winned
anybody can lose around here.
KRISTENSEN: If any time you thik
that you have the upper-hand,
you're not going to win.
JOHNSON: There's always risks wn
you put it on the line.
COULTHARD: The very nature
of the competition
means that you race
absolutely to the line.
Because in normal competition,
you can keep your
competitor behind you,
but the fact that you're
on your own track,
you never truly know
whether you've won or lost
until you cross the line.
♪[music swells]
♪♪
♪♪
[deep engine revving]
♪♪
[distant French announcer]
♪♪
[engine revving]
♪[title music]
♪♪
[cars taking off]
♪[music]
[French announcer]
[crowd cheers]
♪♪
It's a celebration
of motor sport.
It's a celebration of how lucky
we are to be professionals,
which essentially means
you're paid to do
what you would do for nothing.
♪♪
It opened my mind
to really appreciate all of the
great competitors
around the world.
[car roaring]
[crowd cheering]
♪♪
So you compete against drivers
from different formulas
from all over the world,
whether it be NASCAR, world
of rallying, touring cars,
and in the case of ex-Formula
1 driver, Michael Schumacher,
making his racing return.
♪[upbeat music]
-It never happened
to me before that,
that I compete with rally
drivers and my competitors
in the same car.
I mean all of us, we have a big
smile on our face. That's, uh,
that's a good thing about it.
When you do a race weekend
in Formula 1,
you be always so serious,
so concentrated
that it doesn't leave much space
to see who is the person behind.
And in those events, everything
is a little bit more easy.
And you should see a little bit
more about the personal side.
COULTHARD: What I've always done
in explaining to people
what Race Of Champions is,
is that they can see up close
and personal
why we love competition,
why we love getting behind the
wheel of a car.
It doesn't have to be
a race car,
It can be any form of car,
whether it's the buggies
or the KTM's.
And it's just pure competition.
-It's tough, you know.
It's a quick shootout. It can be
one way or the other,
but so far I feel good. So,
let's see. You know,
the fans are ready.
So, I did need to do my bit,
to make sure I survive
the group stage
and then we see
where we go.
VETTEL: Who is this?
INTERVIEWER: It's
your competitor.
-Is it?
-Yeah.
-But he is blonde.
So he's as stupid
as I am.
-He keeps checking the
temperature of your tires.
-Which car is mine?
-Your's is white,
mine is orange.
-Why, you want to change?
-No, I don't want to change.
-I think white is much faster.
-So between you,
who's going to win?
-It will be the quicker one.
♪[music]
[engine noise]
♪♪
[crowd cheer]
♪♪
♪♪
-Yeah. I mean, you can never
be confident here
because it's instant
knockout. So,
and you know, yeah. Small
mistake. You're out.
[screaming F1 engine]
[crowd cheer]
♪[subdued music]
COULTHARD: Formula 1 is
highly, you know,
aerodynamic and a thousand
horsepower and big wide tires
and all the rest of it.
So you rely on so much
engineering and the variation
between the cars and the
teams is the dominant factor.
We've been thrown the challenge
of driving all these
different cars. So,
in my mind it is as
good a leveler
and as good an
indication as,
that moment in history
and those two vehicles
with those two competitors
who gets it right and
who gets it wrong.
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Sebastian, there
was a collective,
quite colorful swearing in
German from every angle
when you lost that.
Tell us what happened.
-I went into the first corner
and lost a little bit,
the car, in the entrance
and then the cars, they have
quite a lot of momentum,
so it took a while to catch it
and there I lost too much time.
Otherwise I think it would
have been enough to stay ahead.
But that's how it goes.
-That was a very special feelingfor everyone here, I think.
It's fantastic to see Filipe
Albuquerque coming from so far,
ending up beating the world -
Formula 1 World Champion
and the World Rally Champion
in the same night.
It's proper racing.
COULTHARD: Any loss is not good,
but the reality is if
you look at
the most successful driver in
Formula 1, Michael Schumacher,
he lost more than he won.
So in many respects
that wouldn't be a great
statistic if you're a boxer.
But in motor sports,
you know those losses make you
really appreciate the victories.
♪♪
[silence]
♪[pensive music]
♪♪
JOHNSSON: The idea was to bring
together the best drivers
and make them compete
on identical cars
to see who's really
the fastest.
♪[percussive music]
[engine noise, red lining]
♪♪
-Michèle is one of the few
women in any sport
that has competed with men
on the highest level
and beaten them.
And especially in a sport
like rallying
which at the time was
extremely physical
long distances and
very powerful cars.
♪♪
[crowd cheers]
♪♪
[intense engine sounds]
♪♪
[intense engine sounds]
♪♪
♪♪
♪[somber music]
♪♪
MOUTON: It was the 10th
anniversary of
the World Rally Drivers
Championship.
Henri Toivonen was a
very good friend first,
he was a very fast driver and
for sure he would have been
world champion
if hadn't died
in Corsica in '86.
♪[music becomes valiant]
Fredrik had the idea for
The Race Of Champions.
Every single one of
my former rivals
accepted the invitation
for the first event.
We also realized that Henri
would surely have
been one of them.
So we added a souvenir Henri
Toivonen bronze trophy
where after 30 years of
Race Of Champions,
the winner's names
are still engraved each year.
INTERVIEWER: What about the
plans for the future?
What are you going to do
to keep the fans
happy for the
coming years?
-The Race Of Champions
is a concept
where there's two cars,
two identical cars,
top drivers going
head-to-head
on a circuit where the
spectators can really see
the entire spectacle,
where the television
can cover it.
It's, you know, you're
starting with
some of the top drivers
in the world
and at the end you've
got a Champion of Champions
two hours later.
It's something
that, you know,
improves the image of
the sport and, you know,
really makes it reach
a lot more spectators.
♪[focused music]
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: Hugging the coast
off North Africa,
the Canaries are subtropical,
but in the tropic
sometimes you get rain
and boy when it rains
it really rains.
♪♪
JOHNSSON: For the first time in
Canarias it's been raining
and they're not used
to it, you know.
It was four years
in a row
we've had great sunshine,
25 degrees.
It's been four months
before the event,
no rain at all
and it's all coming
at the same time.
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: Blomqvist has
got the edge.
[ambient crowd noise]
♪♪
He's on the left.
Biasion on the right.
Through the deep water.
That water on that
corner is getting worse.
♪♪
-Such a difficult
track today
with this water.
It is so difficult
for everybody.
♪♪
-We had a little
run yesterday
and the first time
was frightening
to say the least.
The second time I was
a little bit less scared,
but I'm certainly not
ready, that's for sure.
INTERVIEWER: Have you done
anything off road before?
-No, only crashing.
-Welcome from the sunny
Canary Islands
in the mid-Atlantic.
We're here for the
15th running
of the Michelin
Race Of Champions.
It is the ultimate
head-to-head contest
between people from all
forms of motor sport.
Traditionally, it's
been a rally event,
but more recently
we've had guys
from Formula 1,
guys from NASCAR,
as we've got this year.
Behind me in this car
is Jimmie Johnson,
rookie of the year
from NASCAR.
Jimmie, you're confident?
-We're going to have fun.
We've got the best in the
world I've got to race against.
So we're going to just
have a good time
and see what happens.
-Can you beat Jimmie?
-I don't know yet.
-You ought to be able to.
-I hope.
♪[blues music]
-It's just all about gettingused to different circumstances.
I mean, I think a
good race car driver
can adapt to any different
type of atmosphere
or circumstances.
I've raced a lot of different
types of surfaces,
but I've never driven
anything like this.
You know, there's shifting
and things like that. So,
totally different really
than anything I've done.
I guess maybe Jimmie
Johnson's probably closer to
something like this
when he did some of
the desert racing
and the stadium trucks.
♪♪
JOHNSON: I'm definitely
intimidated by failure.
I mean, nobody wants
to look bad.
My off-road background
certainly helped,
but I did feel like I
struggled pretty bad
driving in the Canaries
because the vehicles we
were in for ROC were
four-wheel drive and everything
I raced was two-wheel drive.
But there was a big
high speed left-hander
at the bottom
of the course
and I came in, in
my instinctive
flick for a two-wheel
drive vehicle
and then counter-steer
to catch it,
jump on the gas;
I did all of that.
And with four-wheel
drive,
you know the front tires pull
you where they're pointed
and with the counter-steer
that I put into it,
the car went right
and there was an opening
cut in this big dirt berm
and I stuffed it right
in that opening.
I felt so bad, but that's
the only - honestly,
the only time I've ever
raced a four-wheel drive.
-You spotted any potential placs
where you might
be able to get
an advantage here?
-I've spotted plenty of
opportunities
to get in trouble.
So I think if you just,
you know, make a clean lap
and, and smooth,
but you know,
don't make any mistakes
I think is probably
the biggest thing.
♪[upbeat blues music]
[car at high speed]
♪♪
[exclaiming]
♪♪
[loud impact]
♪♪
♪♪
[excited yelling]
♪♪
♪♪
[laughter]
♪♪
♪♪
♪♪
-This is what happens when
you give a bunch of drivers,
a whole bunch of awesome
cars that aren't ours.
We just break everything.
♪[quick electronic music]
[crowd cheers, crashes]
♪♪
♪♪
COULTHARD: For me it's got to be
the fun interaction
with the other
drivers.
If it becomes like work,
then I wouldn't come.
So, it has to be enjoyable
and it's as much about what
happens around here
behind the scenes
as it is about being
out there on the track.
♪♪
-You're getting quicker and
quicker as the day goes on.
-Slowly the hangover from last
night is disappearing.
And things go straight.
-What is the penalty
if you've been touched
by another driver
in the toilet?
[laughter]
COULTHARD: One of the unique
aspects of Race Of Champions
that we never
get to experience
in other forms of racing
is the dressing room.
We're all there together
and that sets the scene
of the spirit of
Race Of Champions.
You get to look at
your competitors
all there together
and then you go out and
take on the individual races,
sharing that with competitors
-ROC! ROC! ROC!
-from IndyCar, NASCAR,
whatever it happens to be.
It's a gift.
ALL: Yay!
♪[electronic music]
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: In the Michelin
Nations Cup, teams of three
from Germany, Spain,
Finland, Italy,
France, Denmark,
and an all star trio
from Scotland, Finland
and Belgium.
-It's been great fun
and I think we all hadmoments of glory
and moments of joy,
and moments of scare.
So it's been pretty good.
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Are you doing
the right thing?
Or, should you be
doing rallying
or are you better
staying on two wheels?
-You're racing for the
pride of your nation.
So whether that's
team GB
or a team America or
whatever the nation that's,
that's being represented
at that time
and it gives us in motor sport
a unique opportunity
to go beyond the
individual desire
to win yourself,
where you can actually
represent your country as well.
And it brings you together with
your fellow national driver.
So I think that
in itself is, is,
is what makes the Nations Cup
a truly unique form
of motor sport.
♪♪
♪[pensive electronic music]
ANNOUNCER: Now, in the last 10
years of the Race Of Champions,
the Nations Cup has been won
by Scandinavia, France,
Finland, Spain and the USA.
But since 2007, it's been
dominated by one team,
Team Germany
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Pretty good result
for the home crowd so far.
-Yeah. So far, so good.
Obviously tough competition
in the next round
with team Germany.
-What are their strengths do
you think?
-Future potential multiple worldchampionship, and world
champion,
and actual multiple
world champion.
I'd say they were the two
pretty good strengths.
♪♪
-I think Germany and
Scandinavia will be in final.
They seem to be a strong
team both. So we will see.
-Germany won last year
so they're defending
Nations Cup champions
and will be a
tough competition.
I will do my best.
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Sebastian, that
was a good run
first time round
representing Germany.
-It feels great.
The secret is first of all
adapt to your car
and second, stay on
the track.
COULTHARD: I think what made
Michael and Sebastian so strong
at Race Of Champions
and Nations Cup
is whereas maybe it's 50/50
on the fun element
of all coming together,
I don't think they were
allowing too much fun
to get in the way of
the competition
until after they'd
won the event.
So they were very
focused, very serious.
And, you know that
played out in the results
at the end of the day.
And you know, they had a tight
bond and friendship,
which I think was something
they were able to
really strategize
and look at it.
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Your teammate is
Michael Schumacher.
That's great. You know,
a legend of Formula 1
and a current/future star.
VETTEL: Yeah. Even more,
he's a nice guy
and it's always
good fun
doing these kind of
things together with him.
And of course I
can rely on him.
So especially in the Nations Cup
if I should struggle,
which hopefully I won't,
he is the one to help me.
But I think in every team
you're relying on each other.
♪♪
I think the important thing
for Michael and myself
to work and being so strong
in the Nations Cup
was just, we had the timing
completely figured out.
I think if I had a weak moment,
he was there to fill it in and
it was the other way around.
And most of the time we went for
it and it worked.
But if it didn't, then
the other guy would,
you know, still be there.
And we didn't think too much.
We just, - we just had
a good time.
And I think that's, that
was really the secret.
I think there were - obviously
we wanted the cup
that was the target, but,
we were still laughing.
And I think we just
had a great time.
ANNOUNCER: Five in a row for
team Germany.
Schumacher runs onto the tarmac
to join his young teammate.
The seven time Formula 1
World Champion
and the current double
Formula 1 World Champion
are the most
successful drivers
in the ROC Nations Cup
since the creation
of the event.
[crowd cheering]
♪♪
-Number five,
be proud of us!
[speaking German]
[cheering]
♪♪
♪[bagpipe music]
COULTHARD: I started my career
in Formula 1
that came through the
death of Ayrton Senna.
And, you know, I was
his test driver,
but I didn't know
Ayrton personally.
I hadn't spent time with him
personally beyond, you know,
eating at the track or
at the hotel.
♪[subdued music]
Whereas it was
different with Colin.
Colin, we'd spent family time
together and, you know,
tragically along with the
others who passed away
in that helicopter accident
was his son Johnny.
So of course it is
tremendously upsetting
and I think that in those
moments you have to
look at the incredibly
enriching and positive moments
and the learnings you
get from these people.
When I could only honor Ayrton
by trying my best,
cause I couldn't equal
his capabilities,
it's the same
with Colin.
You honor, his memory by
doing your best and you know,
"We're here for a good time,
not a long time."
With others who knew
Colin, we'll say that,
because it's a tipping
of the cap
to the friends that we've
met along the way.
♪♪
Having the opportunity to team
up with Colin McRae
to go to the
Race Of Champions
was personally
one of the highlights,
because he was a friend
and was someone that was-just
had an infectious ability
to take people along
for the ride.
And those are some of the
strongest memories I have
from my motor sports
career, actually.
I would struggle to
remember grand prix victories,
but I definitely remember
hanging out with Colin
at Race Of Champions.
♪♪
You know, be
as quick as I can.
Neat and tidy. That's the
way to be quick around here.
So you know, it's
going to be tough.
-It's going to be tough
to be neat and tidy
when it's that slippy.
-Yeah, I mean it's going
to be entertaining,
that's for sure.
But all you can do is
give it your best shot.
♪♪
COULTHARD: In many ways
The Gran Canaria setup
[splash, hard accelerating]
probably suited Colin's
flamboyant style more.
Undoubtedly, he was someone
that was admired
by the other
great champions
from other disciplines
because he was just
known to be someone
that always gave
a hundred percent.
♪♪
-Jimmie Johnson,
how's it going?
It's been fun. I had a little
problem in practice
and hit a barrier, but
besides that it's
been a lot of fun.
It's been almost eight years
since I've been in a
buggy and five years since
I've been on the dirt.
So, I'm a little
rusty right now,
but definitely
having a lot of fun.
-What's the hardest thing to
get used to on these cars?
-The track's real narrow
and these buggies
run really good.
I'm very surprised,
but more than anything,
it's just narrow and
I haven't been on the dirt
in a while.
♪[slow anticipating music]
♪♪
-So I think everybody was
looking at the Americans
as NASCAR drivers just
driving around in circles
and Jimmie and Jeff
certainly proved
that they are
phenomenal drivers.
[chaotic in car engine sound]
♪♪
♪♪
COULTHARD: The American team
brought their A-game,
there's no question.
And it was fantastic to see
because that's exactly
what Race Of Champions
is about.
ANNOUNCER: Johnson, Jimmie
Johnson is stuck on the line.
The American NASCAR racer
has stalled his car.
But what's happened to Pizzonia?
Pizzonia seems to be slowing
and Johnson, he's going
like an absolute dream.
He's caught Pizzonia,
he's passed Pizzonia.
Jimmie Johnson who
stalled on the line wins.
COULTHARD: They came as
a proper team.
They came as
a united front.
They came with
a clear mission.
INTERVIEWER: You're still in
the Nations Cup
though for America.
I mean it's looking a
very strong team now.
-Yeah, I think we've got
a really strong team for it.
You know, we're going to be at
a disadvantage in some areas
but, you know, we're
here to have a great time
and have some fun and
meet some great drivers
and have a great experience.
And we're going to do that
regardless of how
it all ends up.
Racing opens up vulnerability
to any competitor,
even if you're in
your home country
and your favorite track,
so to travel like that
and to be, you know,
in a foreign country where
you don't speak
the native language.
I mean on top of the
insecurities we had as racers,
we couldn't communicate
with other drivers
and especially the
mechanics as you got
in and out of these vehicles
there are launch sequences,
turbo-charged cars,
handbrakes in different spots,
buttons to push.
We got half the information,
at best.
And that only fed the
insecurities we had
of being over there
representing our country.
[loud engine]
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: Gordon's quicker.
USA goes through to the finals.
COULTHARD: All credit
to team America
and to the
various competitors
that have represented
the team over the years.
They're fierce competitors
and the wins they've taken
in individual events and
other forms of racing
is inspirational
ANNOUNCER: Jeff Gordon,
the national hero
looks as if he's
got the edge.
And Gordon wins.
♪♪
The Americans can win
the Nations Cup
if Colin Edwards can
just keep it all together.
[cheering]
And Melandri
gets it wide.
Melandri spins
the car.
Colin Edwards has
won this for America.
He's won
the Nations Cup.
There are going to be
scenes of jubilation
as he crosses
the line.
Waiting for him
will be Jeff Gordon
and Jimmie Johnson
indeed.
JOHNSON: To win the Nations Cup
is something really unique
and doesn't
compare to
other races that I've won.
I mean, it's the only event
I've had where I
represented my country,
got on a plane,
flew far away and
carried that flag
and had a chance to, you
know, take our victory lap,
holding the American flag
with my teammates and
representing our country.
[cheering]
♪♪
♪[anthemic music]
In Gran Canaria we had
a very fast track.
a mix of gravel
and tarmac.
So going into the stadiums
we were a bit concerned
if there would be enough
space to build
a really spectacular track.
But we felt that the upside of
being in a major stadium
in a big city
was worth taking the risk.
And it paid off.
The team built a
phenomenal race track
in less than five days.
The stadium was sold out,
some big upsets,
and an epic atmosphere.
And we realized that
this is the future.
So after Paris we went
to Wembley Stadium
when they reopened in 2007.
And to Beijing and
the Birds Nest
just a year after
the Olympic Games.
Always trying to innovate,
always trying to bring
the best of racing
as close as possible
to the fans.
♪[music swells]
♪[percussive music]
♪♪
-My track design, of course,
has been inspired by
my driving time
in rallying.
I love the challenge of
having different cars
because you have
to adapt quickly
and you don't
have so much time.
The parallel track,
the crossover bridge,
brings spectacular action
in the stadium
in a place where
spectators can see everything.
Race Of Champions is really a
very convivial where
everybody's on
the same condition,
the same talent, and
a lot of same skills.
So it's really showing in
a very short time
who is the best in
the good atmosphere.
♪♪
♪[ethereal music]
♪♪
[subtle in car sound]
♪♪
INTERVIEWER: Marcus is the
world champion.
You've beat him in a,
you know, a real rally.
And what about here?
♪[anticipating music]
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: Monsieur
Sébastien Loeb!
[announcements in French]
[engine revs]
♪[electronic music]
ANNOUNCER: This is Seb Loeb
versus Marcus Groönholm.
Listen to the gearbox
whirring away.
Loeb gunning for
an advantage.
Gunning for the win.
Ahead of Marcus Groönholm.
The Citroeën team
cheering him on,
and Loeb getting
the win.
Seb Loeb going through.
♪♪
-Over the years
Obviously I've
been fortunate
to participate
many times,
and over the years, you know,
you spend time with
the greatest of all times,
like Sébastien Loeb.
I have a great admiration
for rally drivers,
what they are able to do
with the cars,
without any runoff
really. I mean,
if you're lucky then
you miss the trees,
but most of the time you
don't when you go off.
So, I have a huge respect
for what they do.
So in a way it's like
meeting your heroes
when you meet the
different guys.
♪♪
-Loeb changed the
approach in rally.
He changed the driving.
You suddenly didn't see
the cars sliding
so much on the
entry anymore.
He was able to make sure that
times came from exiting
a lot of corners and
making sure that the
mistakes were zero.
Incredibly talented.
To combine that versatility from
Race Of Champions
from the World Rally, from
the touring car and also
from his years racing at the 24
hours of Le Mans.
I can say I'm glad he didn't
succeed completely at that,
because then I
would have had
one Le Mans victory less.
ANNOUNCER: Loeb lands and
Coulthard can see him in front.
He knows that there's a slender
chance, it's very close,
but Loeb takes it by
three-tenths of a second.
He is for the third time
the Champion of Champions.
-No embarrassment
to be beaten by
a five-time consecutive
rally champion.
He's a great driver and
I'm just very happy to have
made the final
with so many
good drivers here.
-Ladies and gentlemen,
Champion of Champions
and runner-up.
♪[methodic music]
♪♪
[cars takeoff]
♪♪
[crowd cheering]
♪♪
I'm really, really proud to
compete against Seb. And
to beat him,
it's even nicer.
♪♪
[car echoes in garage]
♪[tense music]
♪♪
ANNOUNCER: Two former winners
on the start line,
Heikki Kovalainen wants a
Champion of Champions,
Sébastien Loeb, three times.
Away, they go in the
Audi R8 LMS machines.
This is a close battle.
The first of the
round-robin matches
four groups of four drivers,
each driver races
all of the rivals
in his group and
Loeb sideways.
Oh my goodness!
[crash]
And Kovalainen crashes
through the finish line.
That's a big impact.
Victory for Loeb.
Heikki Kovalainen's girlfriend
in the passenger seat
as he loses control after
touching the wall
on the finishing stripe.
Broken suspension.
He's okay and so is she.
♪♪
-I think that you're really
on show
and I think it'd be
very easy to look
completely foolish.
And I think I probably would
think very carefully
about taking this on.
♪[brooding music]
[French announcer]
[crowd cheering]
♪[music swells]
♪♪
[silence]
I have to say Michael
Schumacher, he's amazing.
I mean he's just so smooth and
he's inch perfect
or centimeter perfect and
♪[dreamy music]
♪[dreamy music]
and he pulls it off.
♪♪
I think that Michael has
something special about him
when you watch him driving.
Is that just you
have the feeling
as if he's always in control
of what he's doing.
I think he's the greatest
there ever was.
The timing was
just spot on.
♪♪
[inaudible]
♪[hard rock music]
-For me the excitement
comes from the unknown,
the excitement and the challengeis trying something new.
♪♪
ANNOUNCER:This is for bragging
rights against Dusty Wygle.
Come on Trav!
Make it!
-Here he goes.
He got it!
[surprised laughter]
-We did it!
We really did it!
INTERVIEWER: We're beginning to
learn about freestyle motocross
here in Europe,
but in America he is
a mega-superstar.
-He is. I mean, he's so
talented. You know,
we were talking about how
many times he's crashed
and how many
bones he's broken
and to me, he's crazy.
He's absolutely crazy,
so it's cool to see him
out here on four wheels.
-Don't give it
too much air now.
-No, hoping for a lot of air.
Hopefully no rolls though.
We'll see what we can do
with the USA, man. Let's go!
ANNOUNCER: This is Travis
Pastrana in the white ROC buggy
against Fonsi Nieto.
[hard accelerating÷}
PASTRANA: I race Race
Of Champions because it gives
someone like me,
coming from motorcycles
and being a redneck,
who just loves to
drive and race,
a chance to just go
strictly on raw talent.
It's really difficult to
jump into NASCAR
and jump into all
these sports where
these guys have been
competing their whole lives.
You come to
Race Of Champions,
it's a free-for-all.
But, you know what?
You might pull those guys
in a ROC buggy
or something that's
like what I grew up
on the farm with.
I'm like, this is going
to be awesome!
♪♪
COULTHARD: Whatever the normal
voltage of a human being
should be, he's definitely runng
some overvoltage. You know,
he's got an incredible
level of energy.
[hard accelerating]
♪[loud hard rock music]
EKSTROM: Even if he
doesn't win,
I know he's up
for the best show.
I like his style because
he's wild and crazy,
but he has full control.
♪♪
♪[rock music]
♪♪
-So Travis Pastrana
is clearly,
an exceptional athlete.
That passion and that
infectious smile,
I think is something
that really connects
and just an incredible
appetite for competition.
♪♪
-I want to prove that I'm
better than the Indy guys,
that I'm better
than NASCAR guys,
that I'm better than
the F1 guys
and it's bragging
rights, man.
Almost every driver
thinks their the best.
That's the one thing that
we all have going for us.
We come in with the outmost
confidence and overconfidence
in our abilities, that no matter
who we're up against
and what we're driving,
we're going to figure
out a way to win.
ANNOUNCER: And Pastrana
looking a little wild
and into the side of the
track and rolling the car.
Pastrana completely
destroying
a brand new
Mitsubishi.
Groönholm looking to see what
happened in the mirror
behind his car.
PASTRANAA: The things that
I excelled at,
and I found out
really early,
was that I was extremely
durable
and that I wasn't
afraid to risk things.
A lot of my friends have
been paralyzed or worse
in some cases but,
everyday they
wake up alive,
they have an opportunity
to do something great.
ANNOUNCER: Pastrana, he's used g
wild things on two wheels
and now he's got a reputation
for doing it on four.
-And now they're excluding me
from the race.
You're not
allowed to roll.
-I could live
with myself
if I got hurt trying
to be the best
than knowing that
I didn't try.
That you'd never know if
you could have made it.
-In our regulation on
under the article,
it is quite clearly marked
that if you roll the car
it is exclusion.
-So,
good to know now
♪[rising music]
COULTHARD: He's able to brush
off accidents and incidents
and you know, it's almost
like a Monty Python sketch
where, you know, his
leg might be busted,
but he just straps it
up and continues.
"It's only a
flesh wound!"
PASTRANA: One of the only reasos
Fredrik and the
guys invited me
to Race Of Champions
at the beginning,
was because -
They're like,
"All right, well,
"we're going to let you
drive these cars,
"but you're going
to put on
"a little bit
of a show."
And I just thought,
"you know what?
"Let's do it."
-He did a test jump,
came up short,
looked like he
was gonna die.
He clearly hurt himself.
He was walking around,
like, in clear pain,
but as soon as somebody
approached him
and asked him,
"How are you doing?"
"Oh great. Doing great.
No problem at all."
-I hear you injured yourself
doing a back flip.
How's your leg?
-Perfect.
A little bit sore, but
we're good to go, man.
For the cars, I'm
a hundred percent.
-I didn't get the meters
to feet so good
and then ended up breaking
the growth plate in my knee
literally 20 minutes before
I was supposed to get in the car
and race Sébastien Loeb.
And my knee swelled up.
But I knew if I said anything,
the doctors are going
to pull me out.
JOHNSSON: He almost beat the
World Rally Champion,
Sébastien Loeb on
the Citroeën WRC.
Two corners before
the finish line,
he was just a
few meters behind
and he went all out
for it and crashed.
♪♪
PASTRANA: These guys
are all gamers.
They're going to prey
on your weakness
and you have to understand
that if you show any,
you're going to lose.
[loud engine, crowd]
♪♪
-Travis, for sure
doesn't have any fear
and I don't think he can
feel any pain as well.
The very first time
I met him,
he came back on crutches
and he was still able
to race and compete.
COULTHARD: So he's made
of strong stuff
and when you get to hang
out with someone like that,
it's inspirational and
it makes you toughen up.
Travis, is definitely one
of the joys of being invited
to take part in
Race Of Champions.
♪[uplifting music]
ANNOUNCER: Welcome to the
Caribbean island of Barbados,
back to its roots
on an outdoor circuit
after years in stadium
tracks around the world.
-It's going to be Coulthard!
The Scotsman goes
through to the final.
-Time to find the champion
old-hand Coulthard versus
young gun Wehrlein.
-Up and over,
round and under.
David Coulthard is
millimeter perfect.
Wehrlein doesn't have the
experience of Coulthard.
Wehrlein's gone off!
And David Coulthard becomes
the Champion of Champions.
The Scot has finally claimedthe Race Of Champions title.
COULTHARD: So interestingly, the
only winning trophy
I have at home is from the
Barbados Race Of Champions.
It was the first time my son
was old enough to understand
that I'd been a racing driver
and was competing
in the event
and he wanted me to bring
the trophy home.
It's the biggest trophy
I've ever won.
And it was taller than he was.
It's a great memory
of that event,
the competition and all
of the good times
that go into taking part
in Race Of Champions.
♪[electronic music]
-In my career, I've been
able to achieve
two Formula 1 Esports
championships.
And before the event, I didn't
have a driver's license,
I didn't ever drive
a real car before.
So I jumped into
the event
and literally my first
experience on a track
was driving a car flat-out.
-And when I first seen
them in the cars,
personally, I thought,
"My goodness,
"this is a nightmare.
What have we done?"
♪♪
-There's a big risk of
crashing of course.
There's a big risk of wiping
your opponent out
as well and looking
like a dumb-ass.
That's the biggest
risk for any driver.
That's what's going through
their mind first.
And then the moment the flag
drops and they're driving
the risk goes completely
out the window
until they either
crash or they lose.
♪♪
LEIGH: I don't hold myself back.
I would much rather
make a mistake
and learn from
the mistake
than never make
the mistake.
-But, I want to see the
car out of shape.
I want to see what they do when
it gets just beyond that limit,
because that's what makes
a great racing driver.
-At first, jumping in
the car coming here
was a bit terrifying.
GRANT: I've trained Enzo, day 1
when we put him in the car,
he scared the crap
out of me.
I thought he was
going to kill me.
He was fearless;
he was trying to
drive the car
like he would drive
the Sim car
and it doesn't work
like that in real life.
So actually when Enzo did
beat Lucas on the track,
I felt extremely proud that
he's come through the process.
Now, he's very, very fast
and that just shows
that they proved it:
They can get in a real car,
they can learn the craft
and actually be very, very
quick and beat some
extremely good, quick,
fast pro drivers.
♪♪
COULTHARD: It's no
big surprise to me
to see how successful some
of the eGamers have become,
not only as professionals
in their own fields,
but also in the crossover
to full-time motor sport.
GRANT: They totally changed.
They listen, they learn,
they take information,
they process it,
and then turn it
into real life action.
So honestly,
I feel quite proud
on the journey
that they've had.
They're representing the
whole community from eRacers.
This is a massive achievement
for them, massive.
-They go from these
scared kids,
"Oh no, I'm going to get
in this car and die."
To actually jump out
the car at the end and
they're like, "Oh wow,
That was brilliant."
LEIGH: When I was a kid,
I wouldn't even want to go to
answer the door to someone;
I was that shy.
And then being put on a
plane, come to the event,
drive some real cars,
meet some famous people.
And to be around racing
drivers who are very,
very successful and to pick up
little bits of knowledge
what they've done
in their life
and I can start implementing
it into my career,
really gave me a lot
of self-confidence.
And since then I started
to grow as a person.
I think that information
for me is unbeatable.
♪[dramatic rising music]
ANNOUNCER: A new line-up for
team Germany as Mick Schumacher
joins his father's old
teammate, Sebastian Vettel.
-I'm really looking forward
to Race Of Champions.
We will come out
on top with Sebastian.
And yeah I'm just really,
really thrilled for it.
COULTHARD: It's emotional to see
Mick representing team Germany,
given the difficulties that
the family has gone through,
and the difficulties that
Michael has gone through,
but we hope that we
can see Michael there
watching Mick compete and get
some victories in the future.
JOHNSON: Win, lose, or draw,
the experience of ROC
is unlike anything else.
KRISTENSEN: It's always within
a tiny little fraction
of either winning
or losing.
VETTEL: At least one of us
will get defeated.
PRIAULX: There's only one winned
anybody can lose around here.
KRISTENSEN: If any time you thik
that you have the upper-hand,
you're not going to win.
JOHNSON: There's always risks wn
you put it on the line.
COULTHARD: The very nature
of the competition
means that you race
absolutely to the line.
Because in normal competition,
you can keep your
competitor behind you,
but the fact that you're
on your own track,
you never truly know
whether you've won or lost
until you cross the line.
♪[music swells]
♪♪