Former Ferrari and Jordan Formula One racer, Jean Alesi, has finally announced his future plans with the news that after announcing his retirement from the German DTM series, he will make a spectacular return to racing in a brand new Asia and Middle East-based stock car championship that will get underway toward the end of this year.  

The effervescent Frenchman is just the first of many big name drivers set to take part in the new Speedcar Series, that is a revolutionary contest with 24 identical 600bhp race cars competing against each other on tracks across the Middle East and Asia.

"I cannot wait to make my debut in the Speedcar Series,” Jean said. “I have driven many different types of cars from all across the world, including F1, DTM, sports cars, touring cars, rally cars and ice racers, however, stock cars are the only type of racer that I still want to try. I am truly excited to be involved in this innovative new championship right from the start. This is a fantastic opportunity, and I am really pleased to work with an excellent group of people to make the series grow, and challenge for the title. I am looking forward to driving the car at the first testing session, held at VIR Race Track, USA, on March 5th and 6th."

The aim of the championship is to deliver non-stop excitement and entertainment with fast, open racing over 18 races in nine weekends. The cars will be specifically-built for the series with tubular, fiberglass 'silhouette' chassis coupled with an engine built in Charlotte, USA with a team of motorsport experts currently being assembled to run the series that has the full approval of FOM chief, Bernie Ecclestone.

"It seems that motorsport is really becoming a reality in Asia and the Middle East, and I would like to think this is due to the popularity of Formula One. The new Speedcar Series will consequently add even more interest,"  he said.