BROMLEY racer Gary Paffett is on a mission to regain the standings lead when the DTM German Touring Car Championship pays its only UK visit to Brands Hatch next weekend.

Paffett, who races a 2009 Mercedes C Class, has already taken two victories this season and led the DTM title chase until the last round at Oschersleben earlier this month.

However, after qualifying down the grid due to an engine misfire, Paffett was only able to finish eighth in the race, which meant he slipped back to third in the overall standings behind Audi's Timo Scheider and Mattias Ekstrom.

2005 DTM title winner Paffett is one of six British drivers competing in this year's DTM contest and is determined to use his home advantage to score valuable championship points.

He said: “For me, the DTM race at Brands Hatch is the highlight of the season every year.

“It's a great pleasure to drive in my home country in front of my friends and relatives.

“At Brands Hatch, me and my team will do everything to reduce our gap to the championship leader. I am sure the British fans will support me well.”

The 28-year-old is also a test driver for the McLaren Mercedes F1 team, and fellow Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton will be making an appearance at the Kent circuit on raceday, September 6.

Paffett added: “I’m especially looking forward to the visit of my Formula One team colleague and incumbent Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton to Brands, who I know extremely well from our collaboration at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.”

Tickets for the DTM German Touring Car Championship on September 4, September 5 and September 6 cost from £25 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under.

For more information, call 0870 950 9000 or visit dtmbrandshatch.com