Preview: Series ready for blast-off

The entry is headed by former British American Racing and Jordan Formula 1 pilot Ricardo Zonta, who drives for the Barcelona FC-backed Gabord Competicion squad. He is partnered by young Brazilian Tuka Rocha, a product of the thriving Brazilian karting scene.

Attention will also be focused this weekend on reigning Formula 3000 champion Justin Wilson, who side steps into the Spanish-based series after failing to find a berth in F1. He teams up with last year's Formula Nissan champion, Frenchman Franck Montagny, at Racing Engineering.

"It should be a very exciting weekend because it is a bit of a step into the unknown," said Wilson.

Another F3000 star to switch to the series is former German F3 champion Bas Leinders, who races for KTR, which is overseen by another ex-F3000 racer, Kurt Mollokens. Leinders is joined in the Belgian squad by Brazilian Luciano Gomide.

Indian racing star Narain Karthikeyan and former Italian F3 champion Peter Sundberg form a strong line up at RC Motorsport, while another Italian squad with a formidable driving strength is Vergani Racing, who field Andre Couto and Felix Porteiro.

Reigning Formula Nissan champions Epsilon by Graff have recruited Jean-Christophe Ravier and Spanish F3 champ Ander Vilarino - the latter being backed by Real Sociedad FC. Another football club to get involved this weekend is newly-crowned Spanish champions Valencia, who will support former Minardi F1 racer Adrian Campos's team of Antonio Garcia and Polo Villaamil.

Another swift Spanish pairing is Angel Burgueno and Victor Ordonez in the Repsol-Meycom squad, while the 7UP name returns to motorsport to back GD Racing's Rafael Sarandeses and Mexican Roberto Gonzalez. Finally, British-domiciled Dane Kristian Kolby hopes to seal a last-minute deal to join former F3000 racer Nicolas Filiberti at Zele Motorsport.

Autosport.com will keep you up-to-date with all the latest news and results as this innovative new championship kicks off this weekend in Spain.