Saeed Bintouq and Tom Bale are expected to go head to head again in the penultimate event of the 2013/14 Formula Gulf 1000 Championship which takes place this weekend at the Dubai Autodrome.

Brazilian professional racing driver Tommy Erdos, when coaching the FG1000 drivers at a recent event noted that the 'National' circuit configuration was the most technically demanding of any that he had driven in his 20 year racing career.

The two promising young Saudi drivers, Abdullah Kabbani and Abdullah ElKhereiji will unfortunately be absent this weekend as Kabbani struggles with sponsorship funding and ElKhereiji concentrates on his school work. This offers Kuwaiti driver Adnan Bahrami a great opportunity as he currently lies 2nd in the overall points standing. Keverne McShine makes a welcome return after his epic battle with ex-Formula Ford racer Joel Young last time out which ended with a paint swapping moment  on their last lap. 

Another driver coming out of retirement this weekend is Adam Reeve, a multiple race winner from previous seasons at the Dubai Autodrome, who will enjoy his very first single seater race after spending some time in GulfSport's FG1000 racing simulator. With these very fast 150bhp/400kgs slicks and wings cars now attracting the attention of experienced racers it is possible we will see a new Masters Class included in the series next season. Given that FG1000 lap times are comparable to the mighty Porsche GT3 Cup cars, value for money is certainly not in doubt.

Tommy Erdos, who raced a Saleen S7-R in the 2004 FIA GT Championship at the Dubai Autodrome in 2004 remarked, "This is really cost effective single-seater racing with expert training, using data acquisition, on-board video and extra sessions outside the race car, including motorsport related fitness training and media seminars. Hats off to FG 1000, they are providing quality training for young aspiring drivers at a very reasonable cost. I can’t think of another place – anywhere – that can offer the same package for such good value.

Fifteen year old Tom Bale, possibly the most successful kart racer this country has seen since Ed Jones, will be out to maximise his points haul if he is to stand any chance of winning the championship title and the prize trip to the Le Mans 24 Hours with Gulf Oil and Aston martin Racing. However, there is one small problem – Bintouq will not be easy to beat.

Race 1 starts at 11.30 on Friday morning. Don't miss it!