DTM, the world’s fastest touring car race series, returns to Kent’s Brands Hatch after a five-year absence on 11-12 August with the promise of breath-taking wheel-to-wheel action on the epic full Grand Prix circuit.With stunning cars from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, the German-based DTM series features a level of manufacturer involvement and innovation at a level not usually seen outside Formula One. Brands Hatch is the championship’s only UK round and Bromley-born driver Gary Paffett, who’s leading the points table going into his local round, says it will be an incredible spectacle racing on the Grand Prix circuit for the first time…

“It’s pretty special. It’s one of the only races where I don’t have to get my passport out. It really is a home race for me, with a lot of family and friends come along. And just to see a lot of British supporters is great, it’s something we don’t get a lot so it’s very special to us.

“I think at Brands you are going to have to get your elbows out and make a bit of room so I think the spectacle of the cars just racing around Brands Hatch is a lot in itself. They’re pretty incredible cars for such a narrow circuit, but I think we can certainly expect some door-banging, wheel-to-wheel racing. It’s a very spectacular series and I think the competition level in the whole series is the best in the world so it’s going to be exciting.”

Racing is fast and furious, with plenty of contact – and the circuit’s legendary twists and turns are certain to prove a challenge for the 18 drivers, including ex F1 stars Paul di Resta, Timo Glock and Pascal Wehrlein. Former DTM and F1 driver David Coulthard is championing the series’ return to Brands Hatch and will be in attendance throughout the event.

The weekend features DTM races on Saturday and Sunday of 55 minutes plus a complete lap, during which drivers have to pit at least once for fresh tyres. Support races include the JCW MINI CHALLENGE, the UK’s fastest Mini racing machines, and the all-new Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup.

As well as a thrilling race programme there will be a classic F1 demonstration on both days from retro 1990’s cars including a 1991 Dallara F191, and a Footwork Arrows FA13b. Visitors have a chance to meet the DTM drivers for autographs in the championship’s new Fan Village and take part in free pit walks on Saturday evening and Sunday morning, where they’ll see teams working on the cars.