A field of almost 50 cars is due to take part in the official FIA GT Championship test session at Paul Ricard early this week.

The test will mark the first outing for cars in the main series, as well as the FIA GT3 and GT4 championships.

In GT1, 13 cars will be taking part, including two Maserati MC 12, four Corvette C6R, four Saleen S7R, two Ford GT1 and a Nissan GT-R. GT2 has ten cars testing: six Ferrari 430 GT2 cars, three Porsche 997 GT3 RSR and a Lamborghini Gallardo. A sole Porsche bi-Turbo will test in G2.

GT3 has a bumper grid of 21 cars, with the Aston Martin DBRS9, Audi R8 LMS, BMW Alpina B6 GT3, Corvette Z06 GT3, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Ford GT, Jaguar XKR-S, Lamborghini Gallardo, Morgan Aero Super Sport and Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S all due to take part in the test sessions.

For the GT4 European Cup, Maserati will be launching their Maserati Gran Turismo MC GT4 car and three Donkervoort D8GT cars from Donkervoort Automobilien wil also be on track.

The full-season entry list for the 2009 season of the FIA GT Championship will be issued on Monday during the press conference, including 25 entries.

“Despite the difficult economic times, I am delighted with the grid we have for 2009,” Stephane Ratel, CEO of SRO Motorsports Group, promoter of the FIA GT Championship said. “This proves that the slightly reduced calendar, the generous team assistance and the new tyre regulations have played a part in reducing the costs involved.”