Brands Hatch this coming Saturday, April 9th, hosts the opening rounds of the 2011 Porsche Club Championship – and a strong field promises to once more offer up the close and exciting racing the series has become renowned for in recent seasons. Class One features a host of former champions battling for outright race wins, while 2010 overall champion Chris Dyer has elected to run once more in Class Two as he seeks a second consecutive crown.

The 968 CS is the most popular mount in Class One, with 12 of the front-engined cars entered for the two Brands Hatch races. Former overall champion Mark McAleer will be out in his 968 once more, but with stiff opposition including 2004 Class One champion Pete Morris and the returning 2009 class champion Ben Demetriou – out in a newly built-up 968 in a distinctive chequer flag livery.

Other drivers who should be challenging at the front in their 968s will be Miles Maserati, a strong performer in 2010, the returning Richard Higgins and James Hilliard, and Richard Bennett  - racing in Class One for the first time but one to watch after taking second in Class Two last season despite missing the first four races.

Upholding the honour of the rear-engined Porsches will be the fast-starting Kevin Harrison, always quick off the line in his 964 C2, and the 993 C2s, the most powerful cars on the grid but also the heaviest, of series regular Richard Ellis and newcomer Karim Moudi. New for 2011 are a pair of 964s entered for the experienced Mark Sumpter and Andy Purdie, both former race winners in the series and eager to well at what is the local circuit for their Paragon team.

Dyer, who clinched the 2010 title in the final race of the season, heads up the Class Two entry, the Yorkshire racer keen to score points early. The 944 S2 is the car of choice in this class, with rivals Ian Balaam, Malcolm Scott and Paul Seagrave all out in S2s.

Qualifying is at 10.30 on Saturday morning, with the two 25-minute races scheduled for 14.40 and 17.40.