A number of IndyCar A-listers are among the first drivers confirmed for the 2018 Race Of Champions, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on February 2-3 2018.

The likes of reigning Verizon IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Helio Castroneves, and Juan Pablo Montoya have all been confirmed for the annual event.

Montoya, who won the event in his first appearance back in January, says he is excited to return.

“When I came to the Race Of Champions for the first time this year, I immediately regretted never having done it before. It was an amazing experience and (ROC president) Fredrik Johnsson and his team put together an amazing event. It’s all about fun, but when you go to the grid it’s unbelievable how focused you are.”

A host of other drivers from the likes of Formula 1, NASCAR, rallycross and other motorsport series’ will be announced in the coming weeks.

Incredibly, the Race Of Champions will become Saudi Arabia’s first international motorsport event and be held just a few months before the country allows women to drive.

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