The organisers of the A1 Grand Prix series will reveal the identities of the first franchise holders later today (Thursday).

Founder and CEO of the series, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, will announce details of the first partners, who have purchased national team franchises, together with news of the first broadcasters to purchase TV rights, at a special unveiling in London. The final version of the A1 Grand Prix car (chassis 003) will also be presented.

It's understood that franchises for China, Lebanon, Portugal, Pakistan, South Africa and the UK have been acquired, with negotiations with potential franchisees in Sweden, USA, Mexico, Malaysia, Brazil, France and India at an "advanced stage".

Pitpass has been a supporter of A1 Grand Prix since the beginning, and in May, editor Chis Balfe sat down for an exclusive interview with His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, however for those readers unfamiliar with the series, here are the basics:

A1 is a one-make championship whereby teams are effectively able to compete on a level playing field. A1 GP has developed its own unique design and commissioned thirty identical cars that will all be maintained for the teams by A1 GP.

The aim of A1 is to be the 'World Cup of motorsport'. A1 GP aims to capture the imagination and support of national audiences and inspire the type of national pride traditionally associated with the Olympic Games. To underline the national element, drivers must have family roots in the country they drive for, while advertising and sponsorship on the cars is required to come only from businesses based in or identified with that country.

A1 intends to place the emphasis on the skills of the individual teams and drivers. It is often argued that driver aids have removed much of the skill and excitement from other premier motorsports. To overcome this problem, the A1 GP car will not offer drivers any electronic aids. However, a power boost button in each car will allow the drivers extra power for a brief and finite amount of time, to be used at any point during a race for overtaking and other tactical manoeuvres.

We understand that discussions with countries interested in running races in the first A1 GP season are at an advanced stage and that the first races to be confirmed will include Australia, Portugal, Bahrain, China, Dubai, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa and the USA.

A1 will take place during the F1 'off-season', with the first due to be held in Dubai in late 2005.