Race Of Champions Canned Due To Violence In Thailand

2012 Race of Champions; from raceofchampions.com

Every year since 1988, the Race of Champions has been held in different stadia around the world, pitting the best from each of motorsport's many differing disciplines to determine who's the best in the world. Despite six attempts, Sebastian Vettel has never won the individual title.

Just two weeks before this year's star-studded affair in Bangkok though, the plug has been pulled for the first time in its 25-year history, due to an extremely volatile political situation in Thailand's capital.

With violent clashes between police and, it's claimed, a million protestors against the Thai government in the streets of Bangkok, the Sports Authority for Thailand and ROC's organisers have determined that holding the event as scheduled is untenable:

The Sports Authority of Thailand and the organisers of the 2013 Race Of Champions have announced that the event cannot take place as planned on December 14-15 due to the current political situation in Bangkok. Our thoughts are with the Thai people during this difficult period and we wish that a peaceful solution will soon be found. The Race Of Champions has been held all over the world for 25 consecutive years and we are currently looking at options of repeating the success of last year's event in Bangkok on another date. Fans who have already purchased tickets for this year’s Race Of Champions should contact Thai Ticket Major or their ticketing agent for further information on refunds.

While it seems likely the 2013 Race of Champions will be run in early 2014, for now the fun has to take a back seat.