AFP - Beijing's Bird's Nest stadium has been transformed into a motor racing track, with some of the world's top drivers gearing up to compete in the 2009 Race of Champions here on Wednesday.

Newly-crowned Formula One world champion Jenson Button, seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix winner Sebastian Vettel are among those to compete at the main 2008 Beijing Olympic stadium.

The event is the first time the Race of Champions is being held outside Europe in a 21-year history that has pitted the world's best racers from different disciplines against each other with identical equipment.

"As soon as we have the steering wheel in our hands, we go for it..., it is natural for all of us," Schumacher told reporters on Tuesday.

"But the good thing is that up front, in between, we have a good time, we enjoy it and we don't take it so seriously," he said of the head-to-head race format on a parallel track.

Other top drivers include eight-time Le Mans 24 Hour winner Tom Kristensen, legendary repeat Moto GP champion Mick Doohan, 2009 Dakar Rally winner Giniel de Villiers and three-time World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx.

"To be here, to participate in the Race of Champions with the world's best drivers, is a very big honour," said Chinese driver Dong Haibin, who qualified for the event in an earlier preliminary.

On Tuesday night, drivers will be split up into two-men national sides for the Race of Champions Nation's Cup, with Schumacher aiming to win his third straight title for Germany.

"We are looking for a hat trick, Michael and myself, obviously the circuit is very exciting, it's a very spectacular venue," said Vettel, Schumacher's teammate for Tuesday's event.