A host of talented British drivers will be leading the charge when the FIA World Touring Car and Formula Two Championships arrive at Brands Hatch next weekend (16/17/18 July) for the series’ only meeting in the UK this summer.

The double headline World Touring Car and Formula Two event is Brands Hatch’s first major international race meeting in 2010, and spectators will have plenty of reasons to wave their Union Flags as no less than nine home grown stars are competing in the two championships.

Both series took to the track for the final time before Brands Hatch last weekend (3/4 July) for two races at Portimão circuit in Portugal, where British Formula Two young guns Jolyon Palmer from Southwater, Sussex and Dean Stoneman from Southampton each scored a sensational victory. The duo arrive at their home round first and second respectively in the championship standings – Palmer leads with a 26 point advantage – and both drivers will be hungry to win their local event.

Another south east star celebrating after Portimão is Jack Clarke from Effingham in Surrey, as the 22-year-old scored his first Formula Two podium on Saturday, elevating him into the top ten in the overall standings.

Also taking to the track next weekend will be a trio of established UK tin top talents in the World Touring Car Championship, led by former triple WTCC champion Team BMW RBM’s Andy Priaulx. After scoring three victories this season to date, Priaulx lies third in the championship chase - 47 points adrift of standings leader Chevrolet’s Yvan Muller. However, with 50 points on offer at Brands Hatch, strong home support could help Priaulx close in on first place.

Rivalling Andy Priaulx in the quest for UK victory will be Cambridgeshire’s Rob Huff, who is looking for vengeance at Brands Hatch after his works Chevrolet Cruze was given a 30 second penality in Portimão following a collision with the BMW of Augusto Farfus, costing him a podium position.

There will also be huge backing for reigning British Touring Car Champion Colin Turkington, who returns to UK racing for the first time next weekend since his sensational title victory on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit in October 2009.

Colin will be piloting a West Surrey Racing-run BMW 320si as part of a three round ‘wild card’ entry into the WTCC. The Ulsterman made his debut in Portugal last weekend, scoring a solid top ten result in race two, which he will be hoping to improve upon when he races at a familiar circuit.

As well as two races from World Touring Cars and F2, Brands Hatch will host support races from the Lotus Elise Trophy, Trofeo Maserati Granturismo and Champion of Brands contest for Formula Fords, plus there will be off-track entertainment including the Red Devils parachute display team.

Tickets for the FIA World Touring Car and Formula Two Championships at Brands Hatch on 16/17/18 are available now from £24 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0870 950 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk.