THE KTM X-BOW AT THE RACE OF CHAMPIONS IN BANGKOK

The final motorsport highlight of the 2012 season took place in Bangkok on the weekend of December 15-16. As in every year, and in keeping with their reputation, event organizers Fredrik Johnsson and Michèle Mouton again invited the world’s best drivers to attend the “Race of Champions”. Included, among others, were triple F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, his legendary predecessor Michael Schumacher, F1 colleague Romain Grosjean, rally youngster Sebastien Ogier, Le-Mans series winner Tom Kristensen, MotoGP double World Champion Jorge Lorenzo, IndyCar Series Champ Ryan Hunter- Reay and many more. Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok served as the venue for the event.

Nations Cup to Germany
On Saturday it was all about the traditional “Nations Cup”, for which as in previous years the hot favorite for the victory was Team Germany with Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher. The duo, with a total of ten F1 World Championship titles between them lived up to the reputation and sealed a comfortable victory in the final against Team France with Romain Grosjean and Sebastian Ogier after ten wins from ten races. The trophy was handed over in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans and Schumacher, unlike his less than lucky F1 season was really able to celebrate because, after all, it was the sixth overall victory in a row for Team Germany.

Schumacher: “This record is something very special because the Race of Champions is a truly exceptional event that gives us a lot of pleasure every year!” Vettel added: “Not even Michael has six F1 World Championship title in a row, so this is a really great success. To drive against these guys is something that I look forward to every year and it's a wonderful way to end the year!”

It goes without saying that Team Germany also registered the fastest lap time of the entire race day. And also of course that it was done in the KTM X-BOW. Michael Schumacher registered the fastest 1:14 times in the special ROC track in the Austrian super sports car against all the other drivers and race cars, among them some of the most hp powerful competitor vehicles from Italy or Germany.

Induvidual competition to Grosjean
The individual competition for the Race of Champions followed on Sunday resulting in a real surprise winner. Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean managed to defeat 15 other acclaimed motorsports colleagues during the evening, including in a direct duel with series winners in the team competition, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. The latter even crashed his KTM X-BOW while Grosjean confidently advanced to the final and was able to go on to defeat Le-Mans legend Tom Kristensen.

The 26-year old French driver was thrilled: “That’s what I call a crazy day. At first it was really difficult to advance but after that it all went perfectly for me. We chose the right car and one that I like for the final.” Grosjean chose the KTM X-BOW in which he prevailed in the decisive race. “After the most difficult Formula 1 season it simply did me good to end the season with a victory. Thanks to all for this fantastic event!"