Stars line up for Marlboro Masters

The race boasts drivers from the British, German, French and Italian Formula 3 Championships.

The track at Zandvoort has been doubled in length to 4km and resurfaced for this year's race, but it's close proximity to the sea can mean sand finds its way onto the track, making it fairly slippery at times.

Hot on the heels of his excellent win at Silverstone in the Formula 3 support race in July, Marc Hynes will be looking for a win at the Dutch circuit.

Stewart Racing has decided not to enter its car in the Masters, so Luciano Burti and Andrew Kirkcaldy will not get a chance to compete.

Fortec Motorsport's Kristian Kolby set the fastest qualifying time at the Masters last year, so he will be looking to score a much-needed win here.

Entries for the race are split into two groups - odd and even numbers.

Each group was allowed 45 minutes of free testing this morning, with the first qualifying session this afternoon.

The second round of qualifying is tomorrow morning, and the fastest fourteen drivers from each group will be automatically entered in Sunday's race.

Non-qualifiers will get a final chance on Saturday afternoon, with the first five finishers being allowed to enter the 33-car race.

The race is also being supported by big names in the motor racing world.

Luca Badoer is scheduled to demonstrate the Ferrari F399 Formula One car on Saturday, with Mika Salo due to make an appearance on Sunday.

Tommi Mäkinen will be appearing in his WRC Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, and Italian Max Biaggi will ride his 500cc works Yamaha GP bike.

Dutchman Jan Lammers will also be showing off the Lola Ford V-8 that he raced at Le Mans in June.