Touring car racing and sports car legend John Fitzpatrick will return to Brands Hatch at the end of May to take part in the Masters Historic Festival, his first races at the fabled Kent circuit since 1983.

Fitzpatrick, who won the 1983 Brands Hatch 1000 Kilometres with Derek Warwick in his J David-sponsored Porsche 956, has not raced at Brands Hatch since then but is looking forward to a weekend of racing in one of Roger Wills’ BMW 3.5 CSLs.

“I am delighted to be going back to Brands Hatch. I consider the Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch to be the best and most challenging circuit in the UK, and the most interesting for spectators. Brands Hatch brings back many good memories for me. I won my first race there in an 850 Mini back in the 1960s and I won my last race international race there in 1983.

“The BMW CSL is the best handling touring car I ever drove and it took me to two of my best wins, the six hours of the Nurburgring in 1972 and the 1000kms at Silverstone in 1976."

In addition to his BMW successes, Fitzpatrick won the British Saloon Car Championship in a Ford Anglia in 1966 and the famous Bathurst 1000 in 1976 with Bobby Morris in a Holden Torana.

Top Hat event manager James Beckett said: “It’s great to have someone with the reputation of John Fitzpatrick racing with Masters. Fitz is a legendary figure in touring cars and sports car racing both as a driver and team manager and it will be fabulous to see him reunited with the BMW.”

The Brands Hatch Masters Historic Festival runs from May 28th – 30th with races on the Indy circuit (May 28th) and the Grand Prix circuit (May 29th/30th).