SEAT UK has launched a new motor racing series, entitled the Seat Cupra Championship, which is aimed at developing up-and-coming British racing talent.

With a prize fund in excess of £600,000 and a winning prize of a salary-paid works drive with Seat UK in the 2004 European Touring Car Championship, it is one of the biggest awards offered in British motorsport.

The Seat Cupra Championship will be televised on ITV1, with a “docu-soap” based around the drivers. The programmes, produced by Granada and 4D, are planned for peak weekend viewing during the summer of 2003.

A further series of in-depth programmes planned for ITV2 will add to the exposure and provide drivers with an opportunity to attract sponsorship.

In addition, drivers will also benefit from media, marketing and physical training seminars and be paid for personal appearances made on behalf of Seat UK.

The Seat Cupra Championship “package” is designed to help produce the next Johnny Herbert.

Johnny said: “It is good for British motorsport that we have something like this where we can actually try to produce British stars of the future.”

The 12 race one-mike series will be held over six weekends, with the “double header” meetings running alongside the British F3/GT programme, the dates of which are still to be confirmed.

Each Seat Cupra Championship race will have a dedicated qualifying session and a race distance of at least 30 miles.

Mark McKenna, Seat UK head of marketing, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for young drivers to acquire a professional contract which on paper is worth more than a million pounds.”

He added: “A young driver can enter the championship at 17 and at the age of 18 be competing at top European tracks as a work driver for Seat UK.”

Drivers can register their interest for more information at www.seatcuprachampionship.com