More Street Races Planned

Abu Dhabi in the Middle East is the latest location tipped for a round of the series, possibly as early as next season. Macau is the only confirmed street event so far, joining possible races in Helsinki in Finland and Monaco.

WTCC boss Marcello Lotti said: "I have had a motorsport contact working on behalf of the government of Abu Dhabi. They are very interested in motorsport and have bought a five percent stake in Ferrari and now want to organise a street event with us.

"It is something we are working on. The idea is to have the race as soon as possible after the end of Ramadan, but nothing has been settled yet."

Both Abu Dhabi and Helsinki are on the working draft of next season's calendar, which also includes Brands Hatch.

The WTCC and FIA GT championship will split as predicted next season, after Lotti's organisation broke off negotiations with FIA GT boss Stephane Ratel, who did not want to cut his races from three to two hours.

WTCC 2006 working calendar:

Monza           Italy           April 9
Magny Cours     France          April 23
Brno            Czech Republic  May 7
Brands Hatch    UK              May 21
Helsinki        Finland         June 4
Puebla          Mexico          June 25
Curitiba        Brazil          July/August
Oschersleben    Germany         September 3
Istanbul        Turkey          September 17    
Valencia        Spain           October 1
Abu Dhabi       UAE             October 29
Macau           China           November 19