FFord 1600s set for Dubai

Chris Hodgen, who is behind the recently-launched www.clubff1600.co.uk website and is heavily involved in the event, said: "If we can raise 30 cars, Dubai will do the race.

We've had 10 or 12 drivers already expressing a serious interest, and the event hasn't had any publicity yet.

"It sounds like a good deal in terms of track time, and if we can work out a way to raise some backing to get the costs down it will be even better."

Hodgen is hopeful of attracting a strong overseas contingent. FF1600 championships run in a number of countries, including Canada, France and South Africa.

Hodgen said: "We don't really have an idea of international interest yet, but you can probably get some people from the foreign series if the technical regulations are quite neutral. You could get a festival with way more cars, especially given the high-profile nature of the F3 meeting it will run with. This could even become a regular thing, although it will be a big effort because it is a long way to go."

Former North-west FF1600 Champion Andy Pike is among those already committed to the event.

"I'd have thought it should easily get 30 drivers," he said. "It's a brilliant idea and I'm definitely doing it. From what I've heard of the cost, it's really cheap, and it's such a good circuit you can't miss the chance to run on it."
FF1600 stalwart Kevin Mills, boss of Kevin Mills Racing, is also enthusiastic about the concept.

"I'd be really keen to drive in that race myself rather than let someone else have a go!" he said. "Obviously, it depends when it is and what else the team might be doing, but I'm definitely interested."