SOME of the brightest young driver talents from across the world will go head-to-head when the annual Formula Ford Festival arrives at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Since its inception in the 1970s, the Formula Ford Festival has become the blue riband event on the British Racing and Sports Car Club’s (BRSCC) calendar and the contest is well known for showcasing single seater stars of the future.

This year’s competitors will be hoping to add their names to the prestigious list of previous winners which include Jenson Button, Mark Webber, Johnny Herbert, Anthony Davidson and Eddie Irvine.

As well as Formula Ford racing, a unique ‘eco friendly’ racing car which can be powered by chocolate, is steered with carrots and is built partly from potatoes will be competing in the BRSCC Cardinus Formula 3 Championship.

The sustainable F3 machine has been created by researchers at the University of Warwick and will make its racing debut in the hands of 20-year-old racer Aaron Steele from Chatham.

Steele said: “It’s a very good opportunity for me to further my career and it’s something I’m looking forward to immensely.

“The car certainly turns heads and it has attracted a phenomenal amount of interest.

“My target for the Brands Hatch weekend is to achieve a couple of podiums and from my experience of the car to date, that is definitely possible.”

Tickets for the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch on October 17 and October 18 cost from £10 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under.

For more information, call 0870 950 9000 or visit brandshatch.co.uk