THE FIA world touring car and Formula Two championships may not arrive at Brands Hatch until this weekend, but the competition between British drivers has been hotting up with a pre-race karting battle at the Kent circuit.

WTCC ace Rob Huff and Formula Two drivers Henry Surtees, Alex Brundle, Jolyon Palmer and Edoardo Piscopo took to the 280m track, for a one-hour team endurance challenge with members of the media, including News Shopper reporter Michael Purton.

18-year-old Jolyon, who is the son of ex-F1 driver and 1983 F2 champion Jonathan Palmer, took overall honours after Team Palmer completed 167 laps of the circuit.

Jolyon also set a new lap record, navigating the karting circuit in 19.000s.

Team Huff narrowly missed out on victory, finishing in second place after also completing 167 laps.

“Most of us drivers began in karting, so it’s great to come back to where we started out,” said Huff.

“Motorsport gives you the chance to really get people involved in what we do and my team, Michelle from the News of the World and Jonathan from Yahoo! Eurosport, performed really well.”

Huff, who drives for Chevrolet in the WTCC, added: “I’m very much looking forward to coming down to Brands Hatch next weekend.

“I grew up working and instructing at the circuit and it’s a great facility. I must have done thousands of laps around it in different racing cars.

“Last year was a bit heartbreaking as I led for 13 laps before unfortunately getting a puncture with a lap and a half to go, so we’ll be out this year to try and mend that.”

Although they led the challenge early on, Team Piscopo finished in third position after becoming the victim of some underhand race tactics.

During a driver change between F2 pilot Edoardo and Kent on Sunday journalist Tom Howard, Alex Brundle jumped into the Team Piscopo kart and drove it off the track in order to destroy his rivals’ chances.

As a result of the incident, Team Brundle, which included Purton, was given a time penalty and finished in fourth position after completing 163 laps.

Fifth-placed Team Surtees managed 163 laps despite having to change karts during the race due to a technical problem.

Huff will take on fellow Britons BMW’s Andy Priaulx, LADA’s James Thompson and the SUNRED SEAT of Tom Boardman in the FIA world touring car championship next weekend.

Meanwhile, all four F2 racers will go head-to-head against the likes of Red Bull junior team drivers Robert Wickens and Mikhail Aleshin, as well as championship leader Andy Soucek.

Tickets for the FIA world touring car and Formula Two championships at Brands Hatch on July 18 and July 19 cost from £24 for adults, with free entry for children aged 12 and under.

For more information, call 0870 950 9000 or visit brandshatch.co.uk