The organisers of the event at the Rockingham oval are hoping to set up a new team to raise interest in the event, which is on 14 September.

Rockingham chief executive David Grace told the Reuters news agency: "We are talking about it, we'd love to have what could be almost a 'Team Saint George' (in the race)".

BBC Sport Online has learned that the plans are to test Herbert and Blundell and offer the race drive to whoever is quickest.

Grace added that "there are a number of other names in the frame, such as (versatile British racers) Darren Manning or Darren Turner."

Grace said he had discussed the idea with Cart officials at the Vancouver race in Canada last weekend and they were "very keen to make it happen".

But things had to move fast for the project to work.

However, there are a number of major obstacles to overcome before any new team could race at Rockingham, which hosted Britain's first Cart race last year.

According to Cart rules, teams taking part in a Cart event are not allowed to test before it - and it is unlikely that rule would be waived.

That would be the case if a driver is new to the series.

'Critical time'

But Blundell raced in Champ Cars from 1996-2000 and Herbert has both tested for a Cart team and raced in the rival Indy Racing League.

Then there is the problem of getting hold of a car and engines - which would have to be bought or leased from chassis manufacturers Lola and engine builders Cosworth - and finding a team to run them.

Grace said: "The next week is critical.

"The chassis and cars are available, it's not like trying to drag a Williams or a Ferrari out of someone's garage. But getting the people together is the issue.

"Pulling it all together is quite complicated."

The race at Rockingham will be the only European round of the US-based championship after eastern Germany's Lausitzring EuroSpeedway filed for insolvency last month.

Scotland's Dario Franchitti, winner in Vancouver last weekend, is the main local draw for the race.

Grace said Rockingham 500 and Cart organisers were hoping German fans would be able to convert their Lausitzring tickets into ones for the British venue.

"We are about to make an offer to all German fans, with Cart's assistance," he said, expecting several thousand Germans to make the trip.

Rockingham and the German circuit would have shared the considerable financial overheads involved in bringing the Cart championship to Europe and the burden now falls on the British venue.

Grace said Cart organisers were helping out and actively seeking another European venue for 2003 to make the European leg worthwhile with two successive races.

"(Cart president Chris) Pook says he would like to see another European round," he said.

"Coming for one round is difficult so he's got to find another for 2003 so it makes sense. I think that he's looking at the options."