The third round of the Pirelli-supported MINI Challenge will head up the forthcoming MINI Festival celebrations at Brands Hatch Indy (22-23 June).

Now in its 12th year, the MINI Challenge is one of the most prestigious one-make championships in UK racing and grid numbers this year have continued to exceed expectations. Based near Swanley in Kent, Brands Hatch Indy will host three 20-minute races as the drivers battle if out over two categories: the John Cooper Works class and the Cooper class.

After the championships opening three rounds, Shane Stoney heads the overall competitor leaderboard as well as the Club class with a total of 139 points. Josh Gollin is second, 21 points behind Stoney. In the John Cooper Works class, Chris Smith leads the category by 13 points over second-placed Jake Packun.

Speaking ahead of the race, Packun explained: Racing at Brands Indy is always tough because its a staple circuit on most championship calendars so its a track the majority of people know really well. Im also expecting things to be much closer around Brands Indy because any mistake you make is amplified a lot more because the lap is so short. Its incredibly hard to pull a gap there. Im expecting much more of a fight here and Im really looking forward to some old fashioned MINI battling.

This years Brands Hatch MINI Festival will focus its celebrations around the 50th anniversary of the iconic MINI Cooper S. As well as the MINI Challenge, other activities to keep the crowds entertained will include a display of special motorsport MINIs such as Paddy Hopkirks Rally Monte-Carlo winning MINI Cooper S, a MINI stunt show, a Red Devils parachute display, parades and live music.

Pirelli UK Motorsport Operations Manager, Matthew Corby, said: Brands Indy could be tricky for the MINIs as weather forecasts are showing rain and reduced temperatures. The drivers will have to ensure they use the Pirelli tyres to their full potential as Brands Indy is a tight 1.2-mile track that requires momentum throughout. It is a circuit that can provide some of the closest race action of the year and will be a fantastic spectacle for anyone visiting this weekends MINI Festival celebrations.

MINI Challenge series promoter, Antony Williams, added: The Brands Indy circuit always creates an adrenaline-fuelled cauldron of action and this year the MINI Festival will be no different. The largest grid we have seen for a few years will gather to deliver MINI Touring Car style action and I am sure the mixed conditions that are forecast will add even more spice to the racing. Managing understeer will be key, as one corner follows immediately after the last, so teams will need a set up that projects those precious Pirelli front tyres all weekend.