Chinese pair set to rev it up in new A1 GP series

China will venture into new territory later this year after becoming the latest country to join the A1 Grand Prix Championship, which will be launched in September with the first round of the series scheduled for the famous Brands Hatch circuit in England.

Dubbed the 'world cup of motorsport' the new championship is the brainchild of Dubai's Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, who announced more than a year ago his plans to form a brand new series.

The A1 championship will have drivers racing each other for the pride of their country. Teams will be competing on a level playing field as they will be racing in identical cars fitted with the same engine, chassis and tyres.

The series has already received its blessing from motorsport's governing body, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), and will take place during Europe's winter after the completion of the Formula One season, starting in September 2005 and ending in March 2006.

The championship's full calendar has yet to be released, but it is understood that China will host a round of the series next March and that Beijing's new purpose-built circuit could be the venue for the season-ending race.

China is one of 23 countries which have bought a franchise for the championship, which uses identical Lola cars fitted with a 520 bhp bespoke, 3.4-litre 90-degree V8 engine.