Racing legend Alex Zanardi will be returning to Brands Hatch and also returning to motor racing in the Blancpain GT Series.

Zanardi will be back at the Kent circuit where he took a double Gold in the 2012 Paralympics for the UK round of the event formerly known as the FIA GT.

He will be behind the wheel of a BMW Z4 GT3, the series is popular with the manufacturers and drivers alike. With the likes of Audi, Mercedes, Ferrari and more all represented when the series took to the grid in 2013.

Speaking about getting back behind the wheel, Alex said: “I don’t want to sound too excited, but it was at least as good as I could have dreamt it would be after testing the car for the ROAL squad, with whom he competed in the World Touring Car Championship.

“The car is so nice to drive and I am back with a team where I am meeting a lot of old friends. The BMW Z4 GT3 is a lot of fun, it is powerful and it suits my natural driving style quite well.”

The Blancpain GT Series round will feature two one-hour ‘sprint’-style races on the Sunday. These will include mandatory pitstops, which feature driver changes. Zanardi, however, will be allowed to compete solo, since his car has been adapted to use hand-operated controls.

In addition to the Blancpain GT Series races, spectators can enjoy a packed support bill, which includes the BRDC Formula 4 Championship, GT Cup and Radical European Masters. The event will also feature a huge supercar display, free pit walk and giant TV screens showing all of the action.

Tickets for the Blancpain GT Series at Brands Hatch on 17/18 May are available from £21, with free entry for children aged 12 and under. For more information call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk