American world champion Travis Pastrana has stepped out in Sydney in a pink pair of budgie smugglers on Tuesday as he lapped up the Aussie sun ahead of the upcoming Race Of Champions (ROC).

For the first time ever, the iconic motorsport event will head Down Under for the ROC and will be hosted at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.

The 83,500-capacity stadium will be transformed to host the event, with organisers having built a 1km asphalt race track on the footy pitch inside the iconic stadium.

Pastrana is one of several drivers set to appear in the race, with Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel and David Coulthard all set to take part in this weekend’s event.

Pastrana will race alongside them in what will be his 10th ROC appearance and ahead of the event, he enjoyed some rest and relaxation on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. 

The American is due to race alongside another high-profile US driver during the event.

American world champion Travis Pastrana has stepped out in Sydney in a pink pair of budgie smugglers on Tuesday 

The 41-year-old athlete is known for his dexterity having won titles across multiple disciplines, from NASCAR to the X Games 

Pastrana said in the run up to the event that he was excited for the ROC and that Aussie motorsport enthusiasts would ‘love it’ 

The 41-year-old star was crowned the youngest freestyle motocross world champion at the age of 14 before going on to win 11 X Games in different disciplines, including offshore powerboat racing.

He also clinched his first Nitro Rallycross title in 2021, notably going on to win six Rally America championships.

He is a fan favourite in Australia, having headed Down Under previously on several occasions for the Nitro Circuit.

‘When Fredrik (Johnsson) contacted me and told me that the Race Of Champions was headed to Sydney, that just felt right; One of my favourite events in one of my favourite countries,’ said Pastrana.

‘The ROC is a great concept and I think the Australian fans will love it.

‘I have some unfinished business in ROC and I would love nothing more than to win my first Champion of Champions title and help Team USA win the ROC Nations Cup in Australia, which is almost like a second home to me.

‘We are very close to confirming my teammate for the event and I would like to think we will have a serious shot at finally winning the Nations Cup for Team USA after coming close several times.’