V8 Supercars star Jamie Whincup will return to the Race of Champions this December, event organisers have announced.
Whincup, who is shooting for a record sixth V8 Supercars crown this season, is the latest driver to be confirmed for the December 13-14 event in Barbados.
The 31-year-old made his ROC debut in Bangkok in 2012 and was also selected to compete last year before political unrest in Thailand saw the event cancelled.
“I’m delighted to be back competing in the Race Of Champions again,” said Whincup.
“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.”
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Whincup’s 2012 campaign saw him bow out in the group stage of the individual competition before making the semi-finals alongside Mick Doohan in the Nations Cup.
The event’s rapid-fire format tested Whincup behind the wheel of an Audi R8 GT3, Toyota GT86, KTM X-Bow, ROC Buggy and a NASCAR-style Euroracecar.
This year marks the 26th running of the ROC, which began as a traditional rally stages before moving to its current side-by-side stadium format in 1989.
“We are thrilled that Jamie will be coming back to the Race Of Champions for a second time in December,” said event organiser Fredrik Johnsson.
“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.
“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.”
Whincup is the fourth driver to be confirmed for the 2014 event behind Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen, Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean and reigning Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay.
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