Race of Champions - postponed due to political protests

[FourWheelDrift]

This year's ROC to be held in Bangkok has been postponed.

http://www.crash.net/motogp/news/198698/1/roc_post...

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111695

crash.net said:

The ongoing political protests in Bangkok have forced the postponement of this year's Race Of Champions.

“The Sports Authority of Thailand and the organisers of the 2013 Race Of Champions have announced that the [Race of Champions] event cannot take place as planned on December 14-15 due to the current political situation in Bangkok.

“Our thoughts are with the Thai people during this difficult period and we wish that a peaceful solution will soon be found. The Race Of Champions has been held all over the world for 25 consecutive years and we are currently looking at options of repeating the success of last year's event in Bangkok on another date.

“Fans who have already purchased tickets for this year's Race Of Champions should contact Thai Ticket Major or their ticketing agent for further information on refunds.”

Five time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan had been confirmed for this year's ROC alongside the likes of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, Le Mans star Tom Kristensen and new World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier.

Present MotoGP star Jorge Lorenzo took part in last year's race, also held in Bangkok.

[webby74]

Bring it to wembley instead, enjoyed it when it was here . Would be great to see some real sportsmen there instead of overpaid footballers

[DanielSan]

I understand the need to take it to different countries, but why not take it too countries that have a motorsport heritage and aren't in political turmoil ffs! Who comes up with these decisions?

[chevronb37]

Michelle Mouton?

[Roo]

webby74 said:

Bring it to wembley instead, enjoyed it when it was here . Would be great to see some real sportsmen there instead of overpaid footballers

Yes please. Went both times, just need to wrap up warmer.

[Roo]

chevronb37 said:

Michelle Mouton?

What about her?

[weyland yutani]

Crowds were quite thin there last time. Cancelling must be quite expensive for ROC, was looking forward to it as well.

[chevronb37]

Roo said:

chevronb37 said:

Michelle Mouton?

What about her?

In response to Dan's question about who decides where the RoC should be held. It was a trifle flippant.

Thailand does have a permanent race circuit. I tried to persuade Mrs Chev we should visit it while we were in Thailand a few years ago. She refused, even though I pointed out it was named after the great Prince Birabongse.

[rallycross]

This would have never happened if it was still in the Canaries!

[Fantuzzi]

Tits.

Really enjoyed it last year, I was looking forward to that.

[DanielSan]

chevronb37 said:

Michelle Mouton?

well I did ask.

Personally I think they should run it at Old Trafford. Purely because it's a lot closer to where I live than Wembley or Bangkok.

[coppice]

Sorry but it's Michele . Who once overtook me in her Quattro between RAC stages.

[Alex Langheck]

rallycross said:

This would have never happened if it was still in the Canaries!

I must admit, I also thought that – but there’s no chance of that anymore. They want the good & the great of world Motorsport – not a few WRC stars strutting their stuff.

[Fane]

I seem to remember "Cousin" Carl Edwards (NASCAR driver) beating Schumacher at Wembley? (Sorry for the thread divert).

[Janesy B]

It's not about motorsport. It's a political /pr bullst driven.

[DanielSan]

Alex Langheck said:

I must admit, I also thought that – but there’s no chance of that anymore. They want the good & the great of world Motorsport – not a few WRC stars strutting their stuff.

Too be fair of they wanted WRC stars now it'd be 2 Sebastian's in a head to head.

[davepoth]

I'm surprised it's not somewhere in the middle east TBH; it's the sort of event that could be turned into an "Event" if you know what I mean.

[Roo]

Bring it back to Wembley. Best use of the place is to tarmac over it for ROC.

[moffspeed]

Just a suggestion - back in 1967 the RAC Rally was cancelled due to Foot and Mouth Disease. At short notice and with empty TV schedules to fill the major players went down to Lydden Hill in Kent and took part in an event that went on to become "rallycross".

Lydden's calendar looks a bit quiet in the foreseeable future - defo nothing this weekend - OK nothing fancy like fly-overs and Red Bull demos but how about a few motorway cones to separate the lanes and back to basics this weekend ??