The future of Asian motorsport is bright with Formula One events multiplying and new championships breeding talented young racers, a top driver said.

Matthew Marsh¹, who will become Hong Kong's first representative at the prestigious² Le Mans 24-hour race in June, said the sport had grown hugely in recent years.

"Fifteen years ago when I first came to Hong Kong there weren't many drivers and there weren't many kart races," he told AFP in an interview. "Grass-roots, it's improved enormously, and from the top we've got a lot of encouragement because Formula One is focusing on Asia."

Singapore this month added its name to Asia's Formula One roster³, joining Australia, Malaysia, China and Japan. South Korea is to host races from 2010, doubling Asia's F1 events compared to three years ago.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has named the region as his top priority and revealed plans to hold another Grand Prix in India.

"It (Asia) is the most important part of the world and I mean most important," Ecclestone has said.

Marsh, 38, admits it's "kind of a shame" Hong Kong isn't one of the new Formula One hosts.

But the British-born driver, who made his name in the Carrera Cup Asia series, said there was growing interest in racing⁴ and increasing opportunities for young drivers here.

"There are more racing championships in the region now than ever before, there are more companies doing racing events and there's a lot of go-kart racing happening," he said.

"It's not exactly structured, it's not yet fully⁵ formed but there't lots of reasons to be really positive about the sport."

Marsh's historic appearance at Le Mans is also expected to boost motorsport's profile in the region, where booming car ownership is contributing to the upward trend.

"This is the beginning of a great future," said Richard Lee, head of Italian Motors, which is co-sponsoring Marsh's team.

"Looking at a future when more and more Hong Kong drivers, Hong Kong teams and teams and drivers from China will compete in Le Mans 24 hours and other international races."