Busy month ahead at Brands Hatch (From News Shopper)

Busy month ahead at Brands Hatch

12:19pm Friday 15th June 2012 in Other Sport

A SERIES of four headline events will take place at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit over the coming five weeks, starting with next weekend’s British Formula 3 and GT event (June 23 and 24).

The annual round of two of Britain’s biggest championships will provide a double-bill of superb action with some of the world’s best young drivers and most spectacular cars in attendance.

British F3 has long been regarded as an important step on a driver’s career ladder and nearly half of the current Formula 1 grid has raced in the series, including world champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.

Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne, 2009 and 2010 champions respectively, are currently impressing for Toro Rosso as they fight for a seat in the champion Red Bull team.

The energy drinks company is currently backing Cooper Tires British F3 contender Carlos Sainz Jr, who is the son of the world rally legend.

Having led the championship earlier in the season, he is one of the hot favourites at Brands Hatch, with team-mate Jazeman Jaafar from Malaysia currently heading the standings from British talent Jack Harvey.

While the F3 contenders will be taking part in three sprint races, the Avon Tyres British GT championship will run as an endurance event over two hours on the Sunday.

Featuring drama-filled pitstops for refuelling and driver changes, the world’s best supercars will roar along the straights of Brands Hatch’s world-famous Grand Prix circuit.

Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Mercedes, BMW and Audi are just some of the famous marques represented on a huge grid.

So far this year four manufacturers have featured on the top step of the podium in the five races and there is every chance a different one will join the list at Brands Hatch.

Among the contenders for honours, Wrotham’s Motorbase will be continuing a successful campaign with two Porsches that yielded pole position last time out at Rockingham.

Supporting the headline races will be sportscar action from Ginettas and Caterhams, while even more Grand Prix hopefuls will fight for supremacy in the Dunlop MSA Formula Ford championship.

Several world champions graduated via this series, so fans are advised to pack an autograph book.

The summer of Grand Prix circuit events continues with the annual Historic Superprix on June 30 and July 1, FIA Formula Two championship and International GT Open between July 13 and July 15 and MCE Insurance British Superbike championship on July 21 and 22.

Tickets for the British F3 and GT Championships at Brands Hatch on June 23 and June 24 are available in advance from £17, with free entry for children aged 12 and under.

For more information, call 0843 453 9000 or visit brandshatch.co.uk

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