F1 stars gear up for Brands Hatch date

Take one Mercedes or Audi road car. Add a flame-spitting, 500bhp V8 engine, strap it to the most technically advanced chassis on the planet, ramp up the noise levels, install an ex-F1 driver or similarly talented pilot, and shake.

The result? The awesome DTM Touring Car series, which arrives at Brands Hatch on the weekend of 1-2 July.

Earmarked as the 'next stage' in Michael Schumacher's illustrious career, former adversaries Mika Hakkinen, Jean Alesi, Heinz Harald Frentzen and seven times Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen, already make it their hunting ground for continued glory.

Indeed, so popular is the DTM series, it has attracted the attention of Damon Hill. The former F1 World Champion will test the AMG Mercedes-Benz C Class this Friday (June 23rd) at Brands Hatch.

The prestigious series is now widely acknowledged as the best and most important touring car championship in the world. The hi-tech race versions of the Mercedes C Class and Audi A4 will average an incredible 100mph round the tight 1.2m Brands Hatch amphitheatre.

Round 4 will see Audi's Kristensen try to extend his slender two-point lead over Mercedes rival, Bernd Schneider. Britain's young hopeful, Jamie Green, currently lies in fourth spot on equal footing with Frenzten and Hakkinen.

Flying the flag for Scotland will be Susie Stoddart, one of only two women to compete in the top ranking DTM series. Backed by Mercedes, 23-year old Stoddart will be keen to score points at the famous Kent circuit.

Tickets cost £30 per adult on the gate. Children aged 12 and under go free.

Advance tickets can be bought by calling 0870 950 9000 or save £5 per ticket by logging on to brandshatch.co.uk