F1 oils the wheels in Turkey

(CNN) -- Turkey might be the youngest circuit on the F1 race calendar, but it has rapidly become one of the most-loved, with Bernie Ecclestone even describing it as "the best race track in the world."

The fast, anti-clockwise track is the work of master circuit designer Herman Tilke, who made sure there are several places to overtake and has created the much-lauded Turn eight, a sweeping curve that's there for taking flat-out.

Don't miss the start either: the sharp, dropping left-hander of turn one requires well-timed braking, or else a costly spin or destructive coming-together is likely.

Ecclestone likes the track so much he bought it from the Turkish government earlier in 2007 for $120 million, and now guarantees Turkey a Grand Prix until 2021. The development is sure to please the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his government, who originally developed the site.

Erdogan saw the international prestige and tourism potential associated with bringing Formula One to the country. "This event will make a big contribution to the country and for the economy," he stressed at a gala dinner before the inaugural race in 2005.

In addition to boosting tourism, the Turkish Grand Prix will act as a stimulus to the automotive industry, which has grown to be the sixth largest in the Europe-Mediterranean Rim region in the last 15 years.

According to a report by the Automotive Manufacturers Association of Turkey, 1,024,987 vehicles were produced in the country in 2006, almost double the number manufactured in 2003. Domestic demand has stagnated and so the export market is ever-more important.

Turkey's location between Europe and Asia, and the increased availability of workers equipped with modern manufacturing skills, make the country an ideal base.

Renault has had a plant in Istanbul for nearly 40 years, and last year Honda announced plans to substantially increase its production with a $250 million investment.

World demand for the Japanese marque is currently outstripping supply by 500,000, and its factory in Turkey will ease this by manufacturing the City and Civic Sedan models. Hyundai and Toyota also have small bases, assembling cars, but at present 45 percent of all vehicles manufactured in Turkey are commercial vehicles -- ideal for the country's mountainous interior and for export to Europe and Asia Minor.

While the Otosan company produces Ford models, and Fiats roll off the Tofas line, home-grown vehicles are less common, and for the car-nut they live in the realm of those wonderfully obscure brands that are only ever seen in their native country.

Turkey's first car was the Devrim, four of which were produced in 1961 on the orders of President Cemal Gürsel, who was keen to stave off imports by creating a Turkish car industry. Strictly a prototype -- it was never mass-produced -- the president's ceremonial trip around the Turkish parliament ended abruptly after 100 meters, as the car had only enough fuel on board for maneuvering.

Five years later, the Reliant-designed Anadol A1 went into production, and the Turkish car industry began in earnest. Still cherished in its homeland, Anadol boasts an owners' club, and the canary yellow 1970s sports coupé model, the STC-16, also has its dedicated enthusiasts.

Other models were inspired by Reliant, Peugeot or Volvo designs, and the most common model, the A2, was the first fiberglass 4-door saloon in the world. Even a zippy little two-seat buggy, the Böcek, was put on the market, and 203 were made. Passenger car production ended in the early 1980s, and the Otosan parent company then concentrated on producing Fords.

Yet there are signs of a revival -- at least at the high end of the market, where the nouveau riche of Istanbul and Ankara can indulge their Turkish patriotism by splashing out on a home-grown sportscar.

After 20 years, Turkey has a new automobile manufacturer, and Etox (established 2006) has produced a prototype worth drooling over. The Zafer is a punchy two-seater which packs 272bhp with a top-of-the-range 3-liter engine. Videos of the beast in action are already out there on YouTube, and the official launch is on 30th August -- Victory Day in Turkey.

The price tag? A modest $56,900. E-mail to a friend