25th annual Race of Champions this weekend

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

Billed as motorsport's answer to an All-Star game, the Race of Champions is an annual racing extravaganza that pits top drivers and titlists from all corners of the globe against each other. This year is extra special since it's the ROC's 25th anniversary, and the event is making its first trip to Thailand, using the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok as a temporary track.

The ROC format is pretty simple: drivers race each other in identical cars around a mirrored track that includes a couple crossovers. Whoever beats the other to the line wins and it's best two out of three. The vehicles this year include some regulars, like the specially built ROC 'buggy' and KTM X-Bow, and newcomers like the Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo, Toyota GT86 (our Scion FR-S) and a NASCAR-esque "Euro-racecar."

There are 12 invited drivers that are joined by few more local heros who can get to the ROC by winning a pre-qualifying event... The Saturday features the Nations Cup where drivers are split off into teams based on their country/region while Sunday is simply every driver for themselves. 

Some of the heavyweights included this year include Formula 1 champions like Sebastien Vettel, Micheal Schumacher, Le Mans legends like Tom Kristensen, rally stars like Sebastien Ogier, and IndyCar champ Ryan Hunter-Reay... 

While live television coverage can be iffy to find, the online Drive Channel will be covering both Saturday and Sunday starting at 7 p.m. eastern time both days.