The DTM makes its annual trip to Brands Hatch this weekend, with the Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup amongst the support races. As with each race of the one-make series, a number of VIP guest entries are invited to take part, with an exciting list of names lined up for Brands Hatch.
Last year Johnny Herbert, Mark Blundell, Derek Bell and Martin Brundle took part, and Herbert and Blundell both return for this year.
They will be joined by Tiff Needell, best known as a presenter on television motoring show Fifth Gear. Less well known is that Needell enjoyed a career as an international racing driver, entering two Formula 1 Grands Prix in 1980. He later raced in the World Sportscar Championship and the British Touring Car Championship.
Multiple British Rally Champion Mark Higgins will also take to the track. With a CV that includes being a stunt driver in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace, Higgins will hope to demonstrate his car control skills.
Completing the lineup of guests are two members of the Hamilton family. Lewis won't be racing, but his brother and father will be. Nicolas Hamilton is currently competing in his debut season of racing in the Renault Clio Cup. Anthony Hamilton, who manages reigning DTM champion Paul di Resta, will be taking to the race track for the first time. Lewis will be in attendance and watching from the pit lane.
Up front, there is the serious business of a title to be decided in the coming rounds. Briton Daniel Lloyd is looking to boost his chances with a victory on home soil.
“I’m really looking forward to the weekend, it’s fantastic to be back racing at home,” said Lloyd, who lies second in the standings behind Mateusz Lisowski.
“I want to go out there and win, that’s my focus for the rest of the season – just try and win every race. Even though it is only my first year in the R-Cup I will be disappointed if I don’t win the championship, that’s my goal but it is going to be very tough. All things considered though I think we’ve had a really fantastic year and I’m loving every minute of it.”
