IDontKnow
18-11-2008, 06:11 PM
http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2008/11/ChrisLewis_450x300.jpg
It's being billed as the Race of Champions - a simple speed test between two of Britain's quickest sportsmen.
But it will be no ordinary track sprint - this contest will pit man against machine, pedal power against petrol power.
In lane one at Wembley Stadium will be three-times Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy on his Dolan track bike, packing about two-and-a-half brake horse power.
And in lane two will be newly-crowned F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes sports car, backed by more than 600bhp.
No contest, you may think. But Hoy - and his 69cm (27in) thighs - think otherwise: 'It's going to be a great opportunity and an intriguing prospect. I expect it to be close.'
The 32-year-old cleared up in the velodrome at this summer's Olympics, winning the keirin, team sprint and individual sprint.
Since returning from Beijing, he has been mobbed everywhere he's gone and has even been tipped for a knighthood.
Hamilton's year has been equally impressive, climaxing in a nailbiting championship win at the Brazilian GP earlier this month.
The pair will now compete in front of an 80,000 capacity crowd on a specially designed tarmac course laid on Wembley's famous turf.
It will contain several twists and turns to balance out Hamilton's speed advantage and both competitors are expecting a fair race.
'This is going to be something very special. I've done F1 demonstration runs away from race tracks before but Wembley's completely different. The atmosphere is going to be crazy,' said Hamilton, 23.
Hoy added: 'It's a completely different kind of venue to anything I'm used to. I think it'll be great fun and I'm curious to see what'll happen.'
Others taking part at the December 14 event include seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher and rally ace Sebastian Loeb.
All I can say is, GO HOY!
It's being billed as the Race of Champions - a simple speed test between two of Britain's quickest sportsmen.
But it will be no ordinary track sprint - this contest will pit man against machine, pedal power against petrol power.
In lane one at Wembley Stadium will be three-times Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy on his Dolan track bike, packing about two-and-a-half brake horse power.
And in lane two will be newly-crowned F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes sports car, backed by more than 600bhp.
No contest, you may think. But Hoy - and his 69cm (27in) thighs - think otherwise: 'It's going to be a great opportunity and an intriguing prospect. I expect it to be close.'
The 32-year-old cleared up in the velodrome at this summer's Olympics, winning the keirin, team sprint and individual sprint.
Since returning from Beijing, he has been mobbed everywhere he's gone and has even been tipped for a knighthood.
Hamilton's year has been equally impressive, climaxing in a nailbiting championship win at the Brazilian GP earlier this month.
The pair will now compete in front of an 80,000 capacity crowd on a specially designed tarmac course laid on Wembley's famous turf.
It will contain several twists and turns to balance out Hamilton's speed advantage and both competitors are expecting a fair race.
'This is going to be something very special. I've done F1 demonstration runs away from race tracks before but Wembley's completely different. The atmosphere is going to be crazy,' said Hamilton, 23.
Hoy added: 'It's a completely different kind of venue to anything I'm used to. I think it'll be great fun and I'm curious to see what'll happen.'
Others taking part at the December 14 event include seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher and rally ace Sebastian Loeb.
All I can say is, GO HOY!