US oil major Caltex is "investing" in the next generation of motorists through the Caltex National Karting Challenge.

The title sponsor of the October event is providing cash and petrol to the organisers, the National University of Singapore Motoring Club and the Singapore Motor Sports Association.

Caltex declined to give figures but according to the organisers, the cost of managing and running the three-day event will be about $320,000, including contributions from corporate sponsors in cash and kind.

"From the business perspective, the Caltex National Karting Challenge gives Chevron an opportunity to reach out to the next generation of car owners, and specifically those who have a keen interest in motoring," said Judy Tan, Caltex brand manager with Chevron Singapore. Chevron owns the Caltex brand.

The aim is to promote go-karting as a motorsports sub-culture accessible to the young and young at heart, she said. The Caltex National Karting Challenge is Singapore's first national-level go-kart competition.

Novice form of F1 Karting is a novice form of F1 and could be the first step to discovering Singapore's very own F1 driver, Ms Tan said.

Trials will be held on Oct 5-6 and the final is on Oct 7 at the East Coast Car Park E1. There are four competition categories - 15-18 years old; 19-25; 26-35; and 36 and above.

With motorsports relatively expensive, the organisers hope the challenge will make karting more accessible to youth. Participants have to race six laps of a 400 m track.

Ricky Lin, president of NUS Motoring Club, said the 12 rented karts will run on 95 octane Caltex Silver with Techron and about 200 litres are expected to be used for the event.

Caltex is the smallest chain in Singapore with 33 stations. At present, there are 213 petrol stations across Singapore. ExxonMobil has the biggest number, with 74 for its Esso and Mobil brands.

Shell is second with 67 and SPC third with 39.

Competition is stiff in a stagnant market and some observers say the karting challenge will help build brand awareness for Caltex.