2003 Race of Champions
The 2003 Race of Champions took place on November 28–30 at Gran Canaria for the final time. It was also the last year for three-car teams in the Nations' Cup (including one motorcycle racer), with the focus on rally drivers fading after this year's event due to the later stadium-based venues using all-tarmac tracks.
The vehicles used were the Peugeot 206 WRC, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII Group N, the Subaru Impreza WRX and the ROC Buggy.
The individual competition was won by Sébastien Loeb, whilst the Nations' Cup was won by the All-Star line-up of Fonsi Nieto, Gilles Panizzi and Cristiano da Matta.
Participants
Country | Racing Driver | Rally Driver | Motorcycle Racer |
---|---|---|---|
France | ![]() |
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United States | ![]() |
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Great Britain | ![]() |
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Finland | ![]() |
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Spain | ![]() |
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Sweden | ![]() |
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Italy | ![]() |
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Germany | ![]() |
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All-Stars | ![]() |
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- Nick Heidfeld was originally confirmed for Germany but had prior commitments, his brother Sven taking his place.
- Johnny Herbert was originally confirmed for Great Britain but had prior commitments, Smith taking his place.
- Marcus Grönholm was to represent Finland, but due to testing commitments could not arrive in time for the Nations Cup. Salonen took his place.[1]
- Kenny Brack was to represent Sweden, but due to injury sustained in a CART accident Wirdheim took his place.[2]
Junior Rally Masters
Group Stage
Driver | Races | Wins | Losses | Best Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
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3 | 3 | 0 | 2:10.04 |
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3 | 2 | 1 | 2:09.28 |
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3 | 1 | 2 | 2:19.27 |
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3 | 0 | 3 | 2:10.66 |
Driver 1 | Time 1 | Driver 2 | Time 2 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
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2:15.11 | ![]() |
2:13.13 | |
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2:19.27 | ![]() |
DNF | |
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2:11.68 | ![]() |
02:15.78 | |
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2:23.69 (penalty) | ![]() |
2:11.51 | |
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2:10.04 | ![]() |
2:10.66 | |
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2:12.10 | ![]() |
2:09.28 |
Final
Final | ||
![]() | 1 | |
![]() | 0 | |
Driver 1 | Time 1 | Driver 2 | Time 2 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
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1:59.04 | ![]() |
1:59.76 |
Nations' Cup
Group stage
Group A
Pos. | Team | Races | Wins | Losses | Total Time | Driver | Wins | Losses | Best Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 2 | 6:00.60 | ![]() |
1 | 1 | 1:56.77 |
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1 | 1 | 2:01.13 | ||||||
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2 | 0 | 2:02.70 | ||||||
2 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 3 | 5:56.92 | ![]() |
1 | 1 | 1:57.69 |
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2 | 0 | 1:59.32 | ||||||
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0 | 2 | 1:59.91 | ||||||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 4 | 5:56.15 | ![]() |
1 | 1 | 1:56.05 |
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0 | 2 | 2:00.19 | ||||||
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1 | 1 | 1:59.91 |
Team 1 | Time 1 | Score | Team 2 | Time 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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2-1 | ![]() | ||
Samuli Aro | 2:05.68 | Tony Rickardsson | 2:02.70 | |
JJ Lehto | 1:59.77 | Björn Wirdheim | 2:03.58 | |
Timo Salonen | 1:59.93 | Daniel Carlsson | 2:14.20 (penalty) | |
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3-0 | ![]() | ||
Tony Rickardsson | 2:03.24 | Randy de Puniet | 2:13.09 (penalty) | |
Björn Wirdheim | 2:01.13 | Olivier Panis | 2:02.42 | |
Daniel Carlsson | 1:56.77 | Sébastien Loeb | 2:06.91 (penalty) | |
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2-1 | ![]() | ||
Randy de Puniet | 1:59.91 | Samuli Aro | 1:59.91 | |
Olivier Panis | 2:00.19 | JJ Lehto | 1:59.32 | |
Sébastien Loeb | 1:56.05 | Timo Salonen | 1:57.69 |
Group B
Pos. | Team | Races | Wins | Losses | Total Time | Driver | Wins | Losses | Best Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 6 | 0 | 5:51.52 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 1:56.81 |
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2 | 0 | 1:57.53 | ||||||
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2 | 0 | 1:57.18 | ||||||
2 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 4 | 6:00.73 | ![]() |
1 | 1 | 1:56.92 |
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1 | 1 | 1:59.84 | ||||||
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0 | 2 | 2:03.97 | ||||||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 1 | 5 | 6:03.51 | ![]() |
0 | 2 | 1:57.72 |
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0 | 2 | 2:03.73 | ||||||
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1 | 1 | 2:02.06 |
Team 1 | Time 1 | Score | Team 2 | Time 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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2-1 | ![]() | ||
Alessandro Gramigni | 2:03.97 | James Toseland | 2:02.06 | |
Rinaldo Capello | 2:00.05 | Guy Smith | 2:03.73 | |
Renato Travaglia | 1:56.92 | David Higgins | 3:30.70 | |
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0-3 | ![]() | ||
James Toseland | DNF | Emilio Alzamora | 1:58.83 | |
Guy Smith | 2:25.56 | Oriol Servià | 2:00.49 | |
David Higgins | 1:57.72 | Flavio Alonso | 1:56.81 | |
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3-0 | ![]() | ||
Emilio Alzamora | 1:57.18 | Alessandro Gramigni | 2:11.34 (penalty) | |
Oriol Servià | 1:57.53 | Rinaldo Capello | 1:59.84 | |
Flavio Alonso | 1:56.96 | Renato Travaglia | 1:57.45 |
Group C
Pos. | Team | Races | Wins | Losses | Total Time | Driver | Wins | Losses | Best Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 2 | 5:55.38 | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 1:58.15 |
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2 | 0 | 1:57.37 | ||||||
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0 | 2 | 1:59.86 | ||||||
2 | ![]() |
6 | 3 | 3 | 5:55.06 | ![]() |
0 | 2 | 1:59.92 |
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1 | 1 | 1:59.79 | ||||||
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2 | 0 | 1:55.35 | ||||||
3 | ![]() |
6 | 2 | 4 | 5:57.55 | ![]() |
1 | 1 | 1:58.47 |
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0 | 2 | 2:00.97 | ||||||
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1 | 1 | 1:58.11 |
Team 1 | Time 1 | Score | Team 2 | Time 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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2-1 | ![]() | ||
Travis Pastrana | 1:57.16 | Alex Hofmann | 2:01.41 | |
Boris Said | 2:03.04 | Sven Heidfeld | 2:03.25 | |
Casey Mears | 1:59.92 | Armin Kremer | 1:48.57 | |
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1-2 | ![]() | ||
Alex Hofmann | 1:58.11 | Fonsi Nieto | 1:59.86 | |
Sven Heidfeld | 2:00.97 | Cristiano da Matta | 1:59.25 | |
Armin Kremer | 1:58.74 | Gilles Panizzi | 1:58.15 | |
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2-1 | ![]() | ||
Fonsi Nieto | 2:00.60 | Travis Pastrana | 1:55.35 | |
Cristiano da Matta | 1:57.37 | Boris Said | 1:59.79 | |
Gilles Panizzi | 1:58.18 | Casey Mears | 2:02.85 |
- USA progress to the semi-finals by having the fastest total time of the losing teams.
Best Times
Pos. | Rally | Racing | Motorcycle | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Driver | Best Time | Driver | Best Time | Driver | Best Time | |
1 | ![]() |
1:56.05 | ![]() |
1:57.37 | ![]() |
1:55.35 |
2 | ![]() |
1:56.77 | ![]() |
1:57.53 | ![]() |
1:57.18 |
3 | ![]() |
1:56.81 | ![]() |
1:59.32 | ![]() |
1:58.11 |
4 | ![]() |
1:56.92 | ![]() |
1:59.79 | ![]() |
1:59.86 |
5 | ![]() |
1:57.69 | ![]() |
1:59.84 | ![]() |
1:59.91 |
6 | ![]() |
1:57.72 | ![]() |
2:00.19 | ![]() |
1:59.91 |
7 | ![]() |
1:58.15 | ![]() |
2:00.97 | ![]() |
2:02.06 |
8 | ![]() |
1:58.47 | ![]() |
2:01.13 | ![]() |
2:02.70 |
9 | ![]() |
1:59.92 | ![]() |
2:03.73 | ![]() |
2:03.97 |
Knockout stage
Semi-finals | Final | |||||
![]() | 3 | |||||
![]() | 0 | |||||
![]() | 2 | |||||
![]() | 3 | |||||
![]() | 3 | |||||
![]() | 2 | |||||
Semifinals
Team 1 | Time 1 | Score | Team 2 | Time 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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3-0 | ![]() | ||
Emilio Alzamora | 2:00.69 | Tony Rickardsson | 2:02.07 | |
Oriol Servià | 2:00.48 | Björn Wirdheim | 2:02.91 | |
Flavio Alonso | 1:54.58 | Daniel Carlsson | 1:55.45 | |
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3–2 | ![]() | ||
Fonsi Nieto | DNF | Travis Pastrana | 2:28.61 | |
Cristiano da Matta | 1:59.51 | Boris Said | 2:00.30 | |
Gilles Panizzi | 1:53.88 | Casey Mears | 1:56.34 | |
Fonsi Nieto | 2:02.23 | Travis Pastrana | 1:56.59 | |
Cristiano da Matta | 1:57.75 | Boris Said | 2:00.61 |
Final
Team 1 | Time 1 | Score | Team 2 | Time 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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2-3 | ![]() | ||
Emilio Alzamora | 1:58.15 | Fonsi Nieto | 2:02.42 | |
Oriol Servià | 1:59.30 | Cristiano da Matta | 1:58.45 | |
Flavio Alonso | 1:53.37 | Gilles Panizzi | 1:52.62 | |
Emilio Alzamora | 1:56.92 | Fonsi Nieto | 1:59.26 | |
Oriol Servià | 1:59.73 | Cristiano da Matta | 1:57.98 |
Race of Champions
Participation in the main Race of Champions was awarded primarily on the basis of having the best times in the Nations' Cup. There were several exceptions to this rule however - Marcus Grönholm, as the defending champion, was guaranteed a spot, whilst Cristiano da Matta, despite having the best time among racing drivers in the Nations' Cup, did not participate. François Duval secured his place by winning the Junior event, Dani Sordo won the Spanish Masters event, Timo Salonen was an invited 'seeded' driver and Martin Rowe was invited for having won the 2003 PWRC title. Thomas Biagi meanwhile earned his place by beating FIA GT teammate Matteo Bobbi and Volkswagen Cup UK winner Rob Carvell.
Group stage
Group A
Driver | Races | Wins | Losses | Best Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
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3 | 3 | 0 | 1:58.07 |
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3 | 1 | 2 | 2:03.68 |
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3 | 1 | 2 | 2:06.47 |
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3 | 1 | 2 | 2:07.45 |
Driver 1 | Time 1 | Driver 2 | Time 2 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
DNF | ![]() |
1:58.07 | |
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2:07.45 | ![]() |
2:07.71 | |
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2:06.47 | ![]() |
2:15 47 (penalty) | |
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2:04.27 | ![]() |
2:05.80 | |
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2:03.68 | ![]() |
2:14.38 (penalty) | |
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2:08.11 | ![]() |
2:04.33 |
Group B
Driver | Races | Wins | Losses | Best Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
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3 | 3 | 0 | 1:54.50 |
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3 | 2 | 1 | 1:54.03 |
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3 | 1 | 2 | 1:56.67 |
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3 | 0 | 3 | 1:56.77 |
Driver 1 | Time 1 | Driver 2 | Time 2 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
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1:55.71 | ![]() |
1:59.99 | |
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2:02.72 | ![]() |
1:57.05 | |
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1:54.84 | ![]() |
1:55.64 | |
![]() |
1:56.67 | ![]() |
2:07.61 (penalty) | |
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1:54.53 | ![]() |
1:54.50 | |
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1:54.03 | ![]() |
1:56.77 |
Knockout stage
Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
![]() | 2 | |||||||||
![]() | 0 | |||||||||
![]() | 2 | |||||||||
![]() | 0 | |||||||||
![]() | 0 | |||||||||
![]() | 2 | |||||||||
![]() | 2 | |||||||||
![]() | 0 | |||||||||
![]() | 1 | |||||||||
![]() | 0 | |||||||||
![]() | 2 | |||||||||
![]() | 1 | |||||||||
![]() | 2 | |||||||||
![]() | 0 | |||||||||
Quarterfinals
Driver 1 | Time 1 | Driver 2 | Time 2 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
1:56.96 | ![]() |
1:57.90 | |
![]() |
1:51.67 | ![]() |
1:52.38 | |
![]() |
1:57.13 | ![]() |
1:57.03 | |
![]() |
1:52.30 | ![]() |
1:52.05 | |
![]() |
1:56.51 | ![]() |
2:37.21 | |
![]() |
1:58.21 | ![]() |
1:58.57 | |
![]() |
1:53.60 | ![]() |
1:53.67 |
Semifinals
Driver 1 | Time 1 | Driver 2 | Time 2 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
1:56.55 | ![]() |
1:56.60 | |
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1:51.85 | ![]() |
1:52.30 | |
![]() |
1:57.07 | ![]() |
1:57.64 | |
![]() |
1:53.53 | ![]() |
1:53.46 | |
![]() |
1:52.18 | ![]() |
1:53.05 |
Final
Driver 1 | Time 1 | Driver 2 | Time 2 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
1:56.15 | ![]() |
1:56.45 | |
![]() |
1:52.30 | ![]() |
1:53.09 |
References
- ^ "Michelin Race of Champions". Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ^ "Michelin Race of Champions". Retrieved 12 December 2012.