Zoom The MP4-23 will make an appearance as well

As part of the Race of Champions event to take place at the UK's Wembley Stadium on December 14th, the organisers have arranged a challenge between the country's most celebrated racers of the year: Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, who clinched the crown in Brazil, and Chris Hoy, who took three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

With Hamilton seated aboard a Mercedes-Benz road car and Hoy sitting atop his bike, both will simultaneously take on a twisting parallel circuit whose layout is far from what their respective rides are used to facing – may the better man win!

Hamilton will also present a demonstration run at the controls of the McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 with which he claimed the drivers' championship honours this year, and it will be a prime occasion for motorsport enthusiasts to applaud the achievement.

The annual Race of Champions showcases the best motorsports talent, with competitors proving themselves on Wembley Stadium's inner asphalt track against rivals coming from the worlds of Formula One, rallying, superbike, NASCAR, and more.

"This is going to be something very special," stated Lewis Hamilton. "I've done F1 demonstration runs away from race tracks before, but Wembley Stadium's completely different, the atmosphere is going to be crazy."

"It's going to be a great way to end a fantastic year," he added. "I get so much from the fans and this is a great opportunity for me to give something back."

"I'm a big motor racing fan anyway and I've seen The Race of Champions on TV so to be there in the flesh is going to be great," said an enthusiastic Chris Hoy. "To be actually able to compete and take part in it is fantastic."

"I can kick out about two and a half brake horsepower so that's not going to quite match his car but I think they'll make the race as close as possible and I'll be giving it absolutely everything," Hoy promised.

Daniel BASTIEN
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