Being run over nine rounds this year "Fórmula Fiat", which sees University teams from all around Chile competing against each other in identical-specification 1.3-litre Fiat Palio racecars, is rapidly turning into a very successful formula for finding the next-generation of Chilean racing drivers.

The Fórmula Fiat concept is very simple, with teams made up of fours students each (two pilots and two reserves), all drawn from Chilean universities and higher colleges, and all competing in the nine-round programme, which takes place at the technically-demanding Autódromo de las Vizcachas from June to December. The series, which started last year, is organised by the Club de Automovilismo de Turismo Carrozado, ATC, and the Campeonato de Velocidad de Chile de la región metropolitana.

The students drive race-prepared Fiat Palio cars. These are all the 1.3-litre version, and are built to identical-specification with non-essential parts removed and safety issues addressed with roll cages, extinguishers, harnesses, cut-outs and other such modifications being made. The suspension has been upgraded, but only in a minor way, while the cars run on the Palio's standard road-range alloy wheels, road-legal tyres and 97 RON pump petrol with additives, all helping to provide a very level playing field for the youngsters who are looking to make their early mark in Chilean motor racing scene. The cars are each supplied by Fiat dealerships from the Chilean concessionaries network who are enthusiastically supporting the series and provide technical support at the races.

The "Escuderias" (teams) taking part in Fórmula Fiat this year are drawn from the Universidad del Desarollo, Santo Tomás, de Chile, Mayor, UNIACC, Central, F.Sta Maria, de Las Americas, Finis Terrae, USACH, UCINF, Andres Bello, SEK and Gabriela Mistral. There were two new additions this year: Universidad Las Américas and de Ciencias de la Informática.
 

Prior to the first round this year (on 11th June) all the teams and prospective student drivers all attended a course where they were tutored by professional race instructors who chose two drivers from each university while two "reserve" pilots nominated. Two of the teams feature female drivers Veronica Arriagada is from from the Universidad des Central while Macarena Barros drives for the Universidad Mayor.

The opening Fórmula Fiat round of the 2006 season went to Felipe Venegas (Universidad Central/Quilín Team) with the other winners so far comprising of Kevin Casanga Gabri (Universidad Gabriele Mistral/Comerco Team), Javier Arena (Universidad USACH/Quilín Team), and Enzo Silva (Universidad USACH/Quilín Team). After four races championship points positions couldn't be any closer, with the Comerco Team from the Universidad Mistral and the Quilín Team from Univerisdad USACH being tied in the lead with 25 points, closely followed by the Giullermo Team from the Universidad Ciencias de la Información (in their first season in Fórmula Fiat) and the Curifor Team from the Universidad de Chile also tied, in third place, with 24 points.

The next Fórmula Fiat round takes place on 26th August, with further rounds scheduled in September, October and November, before the final race is held on 10th December. In only its second season Fórmula Fiat is becoming a very very popular racing series in Chile and students from all the universities involved turn out in force to support their teams and drivers.