With the promise of tens of thousands of spectators and the potential for television coverage on the ITV network, the welcome return of Protyre Formula Renault BARC to the internationally renowned Kent venue will mark the biggest race meeting in the category's history. It will also be the first time the championship has ever competed on the full 2.43-mile GP configuration.
Following the opening two rounds, there will be a three week break before the last two races of the 2012 Winter Series on Saturday, 10th November, at Rockingham International Sportscar Circuit near Corby in Northamptonshire.
"The Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit touring car meeting is always fantastic, it's the best BTCC event of the year, and with probably the biggest crowd of the season, so to be involved in it is just brilliant for our championship", said Protyre Formula Renault BARC promoter Simon North, "We're thrilled to announce such an incredible opening event for our Winter Series.
"Being back at Brands is very important for us and fulfils two things - we'll be part of one of the biggest motorsport events of the year in the UK and it's the only chance for the Formula Renault BARC drivers to race on the Grand Prix circuit, so it's almost a unique opportunity in that sense."
Having bucked the trend of rival junior single-seater categories this year by enjoying near-capacity grids throughout the main season, the highly cost-effective and increasingly popular Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship has proven a massive success in 2012.
With outstanding wheel-to-wheel racing of the highest order, featuring some of Britain's very best aspiring FIA Formula One World Championship drivers, the main season championship will reach its conclusion at Silverstone next month, 6th/7th October, once again supporting the BTCC.
Hopes are high many of the existing competitors will choose to also contest the newly announced Winter Series and the aim of championship organisers is to attract in the region of 20 cars for the four race mini-series.
"Arguably this has been the best ever year for Protyre Formula Renault BARC in terms of the number of drivers we've had competing, it's been an incredibly strong season", added North, "I'm sure this must be the first time a winter series event for any championship has been part of a BTCC event and, with that in mind, we're hopeful it will help to attract a strong grid of up to 20 cars.
"This is very much a one-off opportunity and we're extremely grateful to Alan Gow [BTCC Series Director] for extending the invitation. It's a real privilege to begin our Winter Series at such a prestigious race meeting and that can only be good for the profile of Protyre Formula Renault BARC, on a national and international stage."
Leading teams delighted with Winter Series schedule
With leading Protyre Formula Renault BARC teams already reporting strong interest from drivers, even before the official announcement of the 2012 Winter Series, the touring car support date for the opening two rounds has received widespread praise.
"It's great the first round is on with the touring cars, such a big meeting will really help to attract drivers and we've already got good interest", said Fortec Motorsports team principal Steve Lynch, "It's fantastic we'll be on the GP circuit at Brands as well, it's such a great track and we'll have a big crowd which you obviously don't get at small winter meetings - the drivers can sell that to sponsors.
"Hopefully it might also mean drivers currently racing in the main championship, who sample the BTCC event at Silverstone, will want to experience that again at Brands. I'm really encouraged by this announcement, it's great for the championship and we aim to bring a good number of cars."
Cliff Dempsey of CDR added: "With the popularity of the series it shouldn't be a problem getting drivers. It had to happen, we needed a Winter Series as drivers have been asking about it for a while and I'm delighted to have the first round at a touring car event - it's absolutely brilliant.
"The class has really taken off this year, I think if everyone is honest it's gone way beyond any expectation with how popular it has become. The car is good, the championship is run by good people and the budgets aren't stupid, which is the most important thing. For me, the Tatuus we run in Formula Renault BARC is the best made slicks and wings junior single-seater ever produced."
MGR Motorsport's Mark Godwin commented: "I've been pushing for a Winter Series for a while, it's a necessary thing for us to do so I'm very happy it's been officially confirmed. There is definitely interest out there and with the postponement of Formula Renault UK this year there's definitely a place for a standalone BARC winter championship.
"It's great to start off at such a big event and such a great track, it'll be easier to sell to drivers. For those coming in new to Formula Renault BARC, if they can start off racing at a BTCC event at a circuit like Brands GP then it can only help trying to get people committed for the main season next year."
Along with headline sponsor Protyre, Formula Renault BARC is additionally supported by Michelin, The Lubricant Consultancy, Petronas Syntium and NGK Spark Plugs.
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