2004 Race of Champions
Introduction Layout of 2004 Race of ChampionsThe '''2004 Race of Champions''' took place on December 4 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Unlike previous events at a gravel course in Gran Canaria, the new Stade de France event was all-tarmac, so road racers became more competitive than rally drivers.The Nations' Cup underwent some significant changes - nations were now represented by only two competitors instead of three, with the motorcyclists axed. In addition, the rules regarding having one rally driver and one circuit driver were relaxed, leading to some all-circuit driver teams. As the host nation, France was permitted to field two teams.The individual event was won by a then-relatively unknown Heikki Kovalainen, and the team event by Jean Alesi and Sébastien Loeb representing France. There was also a special "World Champions Challenge" race held between 2004 Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher and 2004 world rally champion Sébastien Loeb, which Schumacher won.
Participants  CountryDriver 1Driver 2'''Brazil''' Felipe Massa Tony Kanaan'''Finland''' Heikki Kovalainen Marcus Grönholm'''France''' Jean Alesi Sébastien Loeb'''France (Team PlayStation)''' Sébastien Bourdais Stéphane Sarrazin'''Germany''' Michael Schumacher Armin Schwarz'''Great Britain''' David Coulthard Colin McRae'''Sweden''' Kenny Bräck Mattias Ekström'''USA''' Casey Mears* Jimmie Johnson - Casey Mears was a last-minute substitute for Jeff Gordon, who was hospitalized with the flu and told not to participate in this event by doctors while at NASCAR's awards banquet in New York City that week.
Race of Champions ===Racing Group======Rallying Group======Final=== Driver 1 Time 1 Car Driver 2 Time 2 ''' Heikki Kovalainen''' '''1:42.2602''' Peugeot 307 WRC  Sébastien Loeb 1:43.0579 ''' Heikki Kovalainen''' '''1:47.4383''' Ferrari 360 Modena  Sébastien Loeb 1:55.5842
World Champions Challenge  Driver 1 Time 1 Car Driver 2 Time 2 ''' Michael Schumacher''' '''1:46.7832''' ROC Car  Sébastien Loeb 1:46.9166  Michael Schumacher 1:43.6134 ROC Car ''' Sébastien Loeb''' '''1:43.3109''' ''' Michael Schumacher''' '''1:41.8246''' ROC Car  Sébastien Loeb 1:42.7484
The Nations Cup ===Quarterfinals=== Team 1 Time 1 Score Team 2 Time 2  Car  '''France''' 2-0  Team PlayStation France '''Jean Alesi''' '''1:50.3002''' Sébastien Bourdais 1:51.2661 Ferrari 360 Modena '''Sébastien Loeb''' '''1:44.1263''' Stéphane Sarrazin 1:47.5831 Peugeot 307 WRC  '''Brazil''' 2-0  Germany '''Felipe Massa''' '''1:50.1074''' Michael Schumacher 1:53.7634 Ferrari 360 Modena '''Tony Kanaan''' '''1:49.7582''' Armin Schwarz 1:50.0430 Citroën Xsara WRC  '''Great Britain''' 2-1  USA David Coulthard 1:56.2226 '''Casey Mears''' '''1:53.5186''' Ferrari 360 Modena '''Colin McRae''' '''1:53.9080''' Jimmie Johnson 2:15.4507 Citroën Xsara WRC '''David Coulthard''' '''1:44.7981''' Casey Mears 1:45.0045 Ferrari 360 Modena  '''Finland''' 2-0  Sweden '''Heikki Kovalainen''' '''1:46.6362''' Kenny Bräck 1:51.3292 Ferrari 360 Modena '''Marcus Grönholm''' '''1:49.0011''' Mattias Ekström 1:49.6333 Citroën Xsara WRC===Semifinals=== Team 1 Time 1 Score Team 2 Time 2 Car  '''France''' 2-0  Brazil '''Jean Alesi''' '''1:41.7459''' Felipe Massa 1:42.1434 ROC Car '''Sébastien Loeb''' '''1:47.0386''' Tony Kanaan 1:51.4750 Citroën Xsara WRC  Great Britain 0-2  '''Finland''' David Coulthard 1:43.6151 '''Heikki Kovalainen''' '''1:41.6780''' ROC Car Colin McRae 1:46.7798 '''Marcus Grönholm''' '''1:43.8857''' Peugeot 307 WRC===Final=== Team 1 Time 1 Score Team 2 Time 2 Car  '''France''' 3-2  Finland Jean Alesi 1:42.2688 '''Heikki Kovalainen''' '''1:40.8116''' ROC Car '''Sébastien Loeb''' '''1:44.8087''' Marcus Grönholm 1:46.0491 Citroën Xsara WRC Jean Alesi 1:57.9157 (penalty) '''Heikki Kovalainen''' '''1:46.8295''' Ferrari 360 Modena '''Sébastien Loeb''' '''1:43.1858''' Marcus Grönholm 1:44.3120 Peugeot 307 WRC '''Jean Alesi''' '''2:22.4891''' Heikki Kovalainen DNF Ferrari 360 Modena
References
External links *  History 2004