As a result of the success, San Miguel decided to lift their involvement and this year will run two cars in the showpiece Formula Three race.

Ralf Firman, the runaway leader of the British F3 series driving for Paul Stewart Racing, has been confirmed as one of the two drivers for the November 19 race.

Helio Castro Neves, PST's second driver who lies third in the British series, looks the logical choice for the second car even though a driver is still to be named.

Realising the importance of the rapidly expanding market in China, San Miguel also seized upon an opportunity to be involved in the Zhuhai GT Endurance Race on November 5.

They will sponsor the David Price Racing McLaren GT car which finished third in this year's Le Man 24-hour race and only two weekends ago won its first race, the Silverstone Empire Trophy GT Endurance Race in England.

At the wheel of the McLaren will be Andy Wallace and ex-F1 driver Olivier Grouillard.

The San Miguel entry is expected to be one of the front-runners in the race which is the last round of the World GT Endurance Championship.

It will be the last meeting on the demanding street circuit before racing switches to a purpose-built track on the outskirts of the city next year.

'There appears to be a huge interest in motorsport in China and more specifically in Zhuhai,' McGregor said.

'I understand they are building a F1-standard track in Zhuhai so getting involved in motorsport in China was a logical step,' he added.

McGregor said San Miguel's move into motorsport was ongoing. 'We are involved for the long haul, motorsport coincides with our long-term thinking.' Motorsport will now stand alongside horse racing and soccer as the company's major promotional vehicles.

McGregor said that just like last year, San Miguel is looking at a range of options for the years ahead.

'Last year we waited until the last minute before getting involved in the Guia Race. This year we have made a decision earlier, but are still investigating other options.

'Maybe we will look at becoming an event sponsor next year. We are building an involvement in the sport,' McGregor said. Firman has been a revelation in the British F3 championship this season and can wrap up the drivers' championship this weekend. PST racing is also the form team in Britain and is gunning for a fourth successive drivers' title this weekend.

PST also has extensive experience in Macau and won the race with young Scot David Coulthard behind the wheel in 1991.

Coulthard, like so many others who have raced in Macau, has gone on to make his mark in F1 and only last month won his first GP at Estoril in Portugal.

McGregor said negotiations to run a F3 team this year began at last year's event.

'We have been talking with a number of British F3 teams for many months. It was a tough decision because there are so many good teams.

'But after a very thorough evaluation, we selected Paul Stewart Racing to run under the San Miguel colours for this year.'