Monaco earns place in RoC final

A1GP racer Piccione and five-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Pirro knocked out Portgual's team, which included A1GP racer Filipe Albuquerque, in the semi-final, before defeating rally drivers Carlos Sainz and Dani Sordo of Spain in the final to earn their place in the main event in Beijing in November.

"It was very important to win here because we are representing our country, which I already do for Monaco in A1GP," said Piccione. "I'm very proud of that, and as well as that, this time we will come back home with a trophy, and we are going to China!"

The Spanish team had earlier knocked out the Italian line-up of rally drivers past and present Miki Biasion and Gigi Galli.

Race of Champions founder Fredrik Johnsson added: "We are experiencing an ever-increasing demand for places from countries. It is our ntention that this becomes the first of several regional finals around the world in years to come.

"Congratulations to Monaco. Both Emanuele and Clivio produced excellent performances, and as a team they were unstoppable."

At the same event, triple World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx defeated former grand prix driver Johnny Herbert to claim the RoC Legends title.