A company in Dubai is planning to build a Formula One track by mid-2003.

A property firm in the Emirate wants to create the five-kilometre F1 circuit as the centrepiece of a motor sports complex.

Indoor and outdoor go-karting tracks, an off-road driving course and special tracks for motorcycle racing are all planned for the 7.5-square kilometre Dubai Autodrome and Business Park.

The plans were revealed in a statement from Anis al-Jallaf, chairman of Union Properties of the United Arab Emirates.

Middle-East competition

The complex will also include a grandstand, hotels and warehouses and showrooms that cater to motor sports participants and fans.

He did not say how much it would cost.

"Not only are we offering the motoring community their own purpose built area for racing and trading, but the Autodrome will put Dubai on the map with regard to international motor sports events," Jallaf said.

Dubai has long been mentioned as one of the Middle Eastern countries that are in the running to find a place on the Grand Prix calendar.

The neighbouring Gulf island state of Bahrain last year unveiled plans for an F1 race track but it was not clear when the project would be finished.

The Lebanese capital Beirut, Istanbul in Turkey and Moscow in Russia are also interested.