Supercars star Chaz Mostert receives a late call up to Race of Champions
Supercars fan favourite Chaz Mostert has received a late call up the Sydney’s Race of Champions, set to compete against the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas.
Popular Supercars star Chaz Mostert has received a shock late call up for the Race of Champions in Sydney at Accor Stadium on Friday night after Sweden’s reigning champion Mattias Ekstrom was forced to withdraw on medical grounds.
As the final touches were being applied to turn Accor Stadium into a racetrack, Mostert received the call that a spot on the starting grid was available if he wished to race against the likes of David Coulthard, Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas, Sebastien Loeb and Jamie Whincup.
Two-time Bathurst 1000 champion Mostert said he was excited by the prospect of partnering seven-time Rallycross World Champion Johan Kristoffersson in a Team All Stars combination and then tackling the solo event on Saturday.
“The Race of Champions is such an iconic event and I was quite envious of everyone who was announced in the original line-up,” Mostert said.
“The call to replace Mattias Ekstrom came from left field, but it was a pretty cool call to receive. I feel sorry for Mattias that he cannot make the trip to defend his Champion of Champions trophy and shoot for a record fifth title, but hopefully I can do the new-look All Stars team justice.”
Ekstrom withdrew from the ROC after falling ill during last week’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.
He is not the only late change, with British rally ace Alister McRae set to replace his son Max after he injured his wrist in the first round of the British Rally Championship last weekend.
Alister McRae is the brother of 1995 World Rally Champion Colin McRae, and actually replaced Colin in the 2007 event held at Wembley Stadium following his brother’s death two months earlier.
He will partner F1 champion Coulthard to represent Great Britain in the teams event.
The ROC is a unique stadium motorsport event with Sydney’s Olympic stadium undergoing a stunning transformation to erect a two-lane racing circuit on top of the playing surface.
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