What have Johnny Herbert, Jean Alesi, Stefan Johansson, Ukyo Katayama, Gianni Morbidelli and Narain Karthikeyan got in common?
Well, apart from belonging to the hallowed ranks of F1 drivers, they are about to knock seven bells out of each other in stock cars. They will all take part in the new Speedcar series which kicks off with GP2 Asia on January 26 at Dubai Autodrome.
They will be the star attractions of a new 24-car series which boasts $3 million prize money and a 10-race schedule on five dates. They will be on the programme at both the Malaysian and Bahrain GPs.
The TV deals are still being sorted, but Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management will supply the feed and so it should be a good show. Knowing a bit about the guys involved, it promises to be spectacular. And entertaining.