International Race of Champions

International Race of Champions (IROC) is an auto racing competition, promoted as an equivalent of an All-Star Game or The Masters. Drivers race identical stock cars set up by a single team of mechanics in a effort to make the race purely a test of driver ability. It is run with a small field of invited drivers (6-12). It was created in 1973 by Riverside International Raceway President Les Richter and Roger Penske with Mark Donohue being the first driver to win the championship, in 1974. The cars used that year were Porsche Carrera RSRs. Donohue's win in the fourth and last race of that season was his last win as he died in a Formula One practice the next season. The series was not run in 1981, 1982 or 1983.

Related Topics:
Auto racing - All-Star Game - The Masters - Stock cars - 1973 - Riverside International Raceway - Les Richter - Roger Penske - Mark Donohue - 1974 - Porsche Carrera - Formula One - 1981 - 1982 - 1983

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Due to its similarity to NASCAR in tracks and cars, the series is dominated by NASCAR drivers. The last non-NASCAR winner of the series was Al Unser, Jr. in 1988. Although open wheel drivers have had successes, as of 2003, drivers from road racing series had only won two races in the history of IROC. IROC is also known for its rainbow of car colors being easily recognized from all other closed wheel racing series. Because of these, some say IROC is now irrelevant.

Related Topics:
NASCAR - Al Unser, Jr. - 1988 - Open wheel - As of 2003 - Road racing

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In 2004, the hard liquor brand Crown Royal became the series' title sponsor. IROC has historically employed retired former NASCAR drivers Dick Trickle and Jim Sauter to prepare the setups for their cars.

Related Topics:
2004 - Liquor - Crown Royal - Sponsor - Dick Trickle - Jim Sauter

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