A HOST of high-performance and electric vehicles could be on their way to Cheltenham as part of exciting plans to bring a major motoring festival to the town.

The Echo exclusively revealed plans to hold a Formula 1-style event in the town centre earlier this year, featuring karts capable of speeds of up to 140mph.

Now leaders behind the scheme say they want to host time-trial racing for motorbikes, bio-fuel vehicles and electric cars in a bid to attract more sponsorship.

They have also changed the proposed circuit to minimise disruption for town centre businesses and provide extra spectator space.

Pete Allison, who is fronting Cheltenham Motorsports, a group of businesses behind the bid, said: "Since we announced plans to hold the festival, the public response has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Almost everyone I have spoken to has said they think it would be great news for the town.

"We have now taken our vision forward to encompass bio-fuel cars to showcase a range of new technologies with a focus on sustainability.

"There will still be kart racing, but having a greater variety of vehicles will make the event more exciting, as well as helping us to attract big-name sponsors."

While the mini F1-style karts would race head-to-head around the circuit, drivers of larger cars run on bio-fuel and electricity would compete in time trials.

The new-look 1.2km circuit, moved away from the Regent Arcade, would see cars whizz past the town hall and up the Promenade before looping around Imperial Square towards the chequered flag.

Pete added: "Altering the circuit will minimise disruption to town centre businesses as well as improve viewing potential for the crowd. The roads we will be using are wider and the corners are better suited to racing. It should create an altogether better spectacle."

The festival, which could raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, would be the first of its kind in a UK town centre.

Personalities already linked to the project include F1 champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, and Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond.

Jennie Rainsford, of Media Eden, the organisation promoting the event, said: "It's a thrilling prospect. Plans are gathering momentum and the latest changes will only enhance the proposals.

"Both the emphasis on bio-fuel cars and the change of route will help to broaden the event's appeal as well as create more opportunities for sponsorship."

Organisers estimate it would cost £2 million to put the infrastructure in place for the event, with most of the money raised through sponsorship and selling TV rights.

A Parliamentary Bill needs to be passed to lift road regulations, a process which could take 18 months, meaning the event would not take place until 2013.

Leaders behind the project have held initial discussions with Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council, who have lent their backing to the scheme in principle.

Members of the public are invited to discuss the revamped proposals at an open forum at the Exmouth Arms in Bath Road on July 27. The event starts at 8pm.