WITH Brands Hatch hosting the FIA World Touring Car and Formula Two Championships this weekend, reporter MICHAEL PURTON went head to head with some of the drivers in a pre-race warm up.

On July 9 five WTCC and F2 drivers each led a team of journalists in a race on Brands Hatch’s 280 metre karting track, which is an exact replica of the venue’s indy circuit.

WTCC ace Rob Huff and F2 drivers Henry Surtees, Alex Brundle, Jolyon Palmer and Edoardo Piscopo led their teams in a one hour challenge, with the winners being the ones to complete the most laps.

My team was made up of Alex Brundle, Richard Foster from Radio Five Live, and myself, and we each drove 20 minutes.

Despite being the youngest member of the team by six years, 18-year-old Alex was of course by far the best driver, but his skills behind the wheel could not prevent us coming second to last.

This was mainly due to my mishandling of many a tight corner in the early stages, with my wheels skidding onto the grass at the side of the track a couple of times.

However, after a few laps I began to get the hang of whizzing around the corners, and even managed to overtake a couple of cars - driven by journalists of course.

I felt like Jenson Button, or Lewis Hamilton - last season.

Although the karts have a maximum speed of just 35mph, when you’re sitting so close to the ground and trying to navigate sharp bends, this feels fast.

But my team was not fast enough.

Jolyon Palmer, the son of ex-F1 driver and 1983 F2 champion Jonathan Palmer, led his team to victory, completing 167 laps of the circuit in the hour.

The 18-year-old also set a new lap record, navigating the circuit in 19 seconds flat.

Team Huff came second, Team Piscopo was third, Team Brundle roared home in style (in fourth place) with me at the wheel, and Team Surtees trundled over the line in last place.

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

The 29-year-old, who drives for Chevrolet, will take on fellow Britons BMW’s Andy Priaulx, LADA’s James Thompson and the SUNRED SEAT of Tom Boardman in the WTCC at Brands Hatch.

He said: “I’m very much looking forward to coming down to Brands Hatch for the WTCC race.

“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 thirteen 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.”

The F2 race will be the first held at Brands Hatch, and will feature Red Bull Junior Team drivers Robert Wickens and Mikhail Aleshin, as well as championship leader Andy Soucek.

Alex Brundle, said: “I’m really looking forward to the race as I love the Brands Hatch circuit. I’m hoping to get a podium finish.”

When I asked him how he felt I had done in the karting race, he said “Yeah, you were alright”, which was very polite of him.

Tickets for the FIA World Touring Car and Formula Two Championships at Brands Hatch this weekend cost from £24 for adults, with free entry for children under 12.

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