Italian F3000 to kick off at Bologna show.

The newly-appointed organisers of the reborn Italian F3000 Championship have revealed that the series will make its public debut at next month's Bologna Motor Show, with a selection of cars and drivers on hand to demonstrate the series' potential.

Coloni Motorsport will run F3 Euroseries regular Marco Bonanomi, who contested the Italian F3 series with the team in 2003, and Matteo Meneghello, who experienced F3000 for the first time this season after making his mark in Formula Renault V6. Sister team CMS will also provide two cars, with Toni Vilander, this year's most successful Italian F3 driver, and 2004 team-mate Alex Ciompi. In addition, FIA F3000 rival AEZ has confirmed its participation with 2004 regular Ferdinand Monfardini, while another Italian operation, Durango, will run a car for FRenault V6 champion George Mondini, and Astromega two machines for Luca Filipi and Michele Rugolo.

"We are proud to be part of what is Italy's most important and prestigious motoring event, and it is an opportunity to showcase our championship programme for 2005 and into the future," Italian F3000 organiser and promoter Paolo Coloni explained, We are looking forward to the show as it also provides us with a perfect opportunity to present our technical and sporting regulations and championship calendar to interested parties."

The new series, which will make use of F3000 machinery left idle by the birth of the new GP2 Championship that will support Formula One from 2005, has received full factory support from constructor Lola.

"Following the decision made by the CSAI, the Italian governing body of motorsport, and the appointment of Coloni Motorsport as organisers and promoters, Lola Cars is pleased to welcome, and officially recognise, the Italian Formula 3000 series," confirmed MD Rupert Mainwaring, "With both the Lola B99/50 and B2/50 eligible for the series, healthy grids and close racing are expected. Lola would like to express its intention of officially supporting the series and working together with Coloni Motorsport to ensure a dedicated and smooth engineering and logistical future for the series."