Ekstrom aiming to defend RoC title

The DTM champion won the individual Race of Champions event in Paris last year after a lacklustre season, but he returns a year later with after his best year since 2004 with Audi.

The Swedish driver said that while the event is a bit of fun for the end of the season, he will be trying as hard as ever when he is out on the track.

"The Race of Champions is one of the best places to go if you're looking for drivers with a bit of experience and success," said Ekstrom. "There are plenty of good guys coming so it's always a prestigious event.

"Some people say it's for fun, and I have to say it is fun. But once we put our helmets on it's maximum attack."

Ekstrom is one of five drivers competing in this year's event at Wembley to have won a championship in 2007, along with Sebastien Bourdais (Champ Car), Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR), Andy Priaulx (WTCC), and Travis Pastrana (Rally America), while Marcus Gronholm could be WRC champion by the time of the event on December 16.

Fredrik Johnsson, president of event organisers IMP said: "The Race of Champions has always attracted an array of first-class drivers from all disciplines within motorsport and it is great to see that this year is no different.

"We would like to offer our congratulations to our recently crowned 2007 champions and look forward to seeing them this December."