IT IS branded the Beautiful Race and is an ambitious combination of two of the world’s most compelling and successful sports.

When launched on a rainy day in August at Liverpool FC’s Melwood training ground, the concept raised eyebrows – motor racing and football seemed unlikely bedfellows.

But under blue skies at Jerez, in southern Spain, the true excitement of Superleague Formula was evident in each of the 30,000 fans who had travelled from all over the world.

At the heart of the ear-splitting action, which boasted leggy girls, sleek race cars and unconventional race rules, was the gleaming fuselage of Liverpool FC’s race car.

Driven by Adrian Valles, another of the club’s highly-rated Spanish contingent, the car boasts a Menard designed V12 engine capable of generating up to 750 horsepower and top speeds of 185mph.

Unlike Formula One, LFC’s car is exactly the same as those piloted by AC Milan, Galatasaray, FC Porto, Corinthians, and a small galaxy of other top football sides who each have their own entrant.

Without any technology to put them ahead of the game, it is the skills and determination of the driver which can make all the difference.

And fans get behind their driver, just as they would the star players of their much-loved football team.

The meeting last weekend marked the close of the Superleague season. Early on, it looked as though Valles would clinch the Superleague title.

But, despite a valiant effort, he just missed out on a podium place and finished fourth.

After the race, he said: “We were the best team and have been the fastest out there in every race.

“The team did great in the pits and I had gone past PSV, so it was all there. But . . .”