'We have not compromised on anything and carried out all the changes as suggested by the UAM officials. We have spent about Rs.70 lakh in the past three months to upgrade the track and also install Tag Heur electronic timing that will also provide sector timings,' he said.

Main sponsor Mohan Nagarajan, Chairman and Managing Director of Bangalore-based Sidvin Coretech, hoped that the 'festival of speed' would evolve into a major international event in the region and progress to four-wheeler racing.

Incidentally, the grids do not contain any rider from Japan, but is packed with participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, China and Thailand besides a few from Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

According to FMSCI Chief Executive Rajan Syal, the sale of tickets, priced at Rs.1,000, Rs.400 and Rs.200 has picked up considerably in the last couple of days and he hoped for a sizeable turnout Sunday.

Entry is kept free for Friday and Saturday though access to the paddock and pitlane would be restricted to authorized personnel.

The three previous rounds were held in Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia, and the caravan will move on to China where the final two rounds will be held.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Ron Hogg of Two Wheels Motor Racing Malaysia, the promoters, said that the series could return to Chennai next year depending on the feedback they receive from the participants and the sponsors.