The opening night of the Race of Champions in Sydney saw a thrilling battle between former Dakar Rally champion Toby Price and Kiwi F1 star Louis Sharp, culminating in a dramatic photo finish. Both competitors, representing Australia and New Zealand respectively, were racing identical Toyota 86s. Price led for the majority of the lap; however, Sharp closed in during the final corners, resulting in a nail-biting finish where they crossed the line almost simultaneously.
Commentator Richard Craill remarked on the remarkable closeness of the finish, estimating that Price’s victory margin was merely 0.024 seconds. This astonishing result left a notable impression on spectators, including Supercars drivers Will Brown and Brodie Kostecki, as well as former F1 driver Valtteri Bottas, all of whom were taken aback by the intensity of the race.
In this event, which showcases some of the best racing talent worldwide, Price, a seasoned competitor with two Dakar Rally titles, managed to secure the win against 17-year-old Sharp, who recently clinched the 2024 GP3 open-wheel championship in the UK. The Race of Champions features 20 elite drivers competing in a series of side-by-side races on a unique 1km track housed within Accor Stadium.
The first night’s competition adopted a ‘Nations Cup’ format, where drivers raced in pairs representing their countries, while the subsequent night will spotlight a winner-takes-all ‘Champion of Champions’ event. The excitement generated by this head-to-head clash exemplifies the competitive spirit of racing, highlighting the skill and talent of the participants.