KENT-based toy manufacturer Hornby Hobbies has secured exclusive worldwide slot racing rights to the A1 grand prix.

A1 Grand Prix is the new format of motorsport pitting teams from 25 nations in direct competition with each other. The teams drive cars that are technically identical.

Global interest in the new series, the World Cup of Motorsport, has been extremely strong. The 12 races are staged all over the world and are followed by a global television audience. The populations of the nations competing, represent 80 per cent of the world’s population.

Hornby, which is based in Margate, has secured the exclusive global rights to distribute A1 Grand Prix slot racing merchandise until the end of 2008. It expects to launch a range of slot cars in national liveries and a number of complete Scalextric racing sets featuring two or more cars from local nations. Sales are expected to commence in mid-2006.

Hornby chief executive Frank Martin said: "A1 Grand Prix is the most exciting development in motorsport in recent years, pitting nation against nation on a level playing field.

"This exclusive global licence with A1 Grand Prix is an excellent opportunity for Scalextric. Given the global reach of this new, exciting motorsport format, it is rapidly gaining a very large following in many nations that are increasingly attracted to international motorsport.

"There are excellent opportunities for us to extend our distribution footprint outside our traditional Western markets to new countries such as China, India and Pakistan, each of which has its own A1 Grand Prix team.

"As awareness of A1 Grand Prix grows around the world we are confident that we can build on the successful distribution model we have established in the UK and Europe, to expand into new markets."