AROUND 60,000 spectators are expected at Brands Hatch to view the second round of the Formula Palmer Audi Championship - the main event at the csma Classic Festival this coming weekend (May 14 and 15).

FPA newcomer David Epton leads the championship points table after winning the opening race of the season at Oulton Park last month.

With his chief rival from Oulton, Joe Tandy, unsure of being able to participate this weekend, Epton will be looking to extend his lead from third-placed Stuart Prior.

Pre-season favourite Viktor Jensen emerged with a podium finish despite suffering with a nasty mystery illness over the Oulton weekend and, feeling on top form again, is bound to be challenging for race wins. Terrible luck stopped Spaniard Emilio de Villota scoring any points last time out, but expect him to be much higher than his

lowly championship placing suggests. Edwin Jowsey is another young racer who should improve as he gets to grips with the 300bhp FPA car, although he has only completed two FPA races to date.

Being the main race series on the csma Classic Festival programme is another indication of the status of FPA, as it means the championship will play out its third and fourth races of 2005 in front of the largest car racing audience of the year to visit the 1.2-mile Brands Hatch Indy circuit.

The weekend will be full of features and family entertainment at the Kent circuit, both on and off the track. Other racing will include the post-Historic and Group 1 Touring Cars, with familiar favourites ranging from Ford Capri and Chevy Camaro to Rover SD1 and specific races for Austin-Healeys, MGs and BMWs.

Not to mention the classic motorcycles of the Lansdowne Series, featuring such two-wheeled symbols of the Sixties as the iconic Manx Norton.

On-track demos will include a 150mph Ford Transit - the famous Supervan 3, which has not been seen on a circuit since 2001. This awesome machine houses a Ford-Cosworth Pro Sports 3000 (V6) engine, and is coming to Brands to mark the 40th anniversary of the wonder workhorse Transit.

More than 1,000 classic cars will be on display, including a very special collection of Ferraris and the MG Owners’ Club National Event, which will be celebrating the MGF’s 10th and the MGA’s 50th anniversaries.

In the air, the Festival welcomes back the RAF Falcons Free-Fall Parachute Display Team, who will be dropping in on Brands from 10,000 feet. Plus there will be a display from the nine Yak fighter aircraft of the Aerostars with their propellor-driven aerobatics, and the Denny Dobson Extra 300 stunt aircraft.

To keep the whole family happy, there will be a circuit-wide carnival of free fun-fair rides, motorcycle daredevils, jazz bands, and a vast spread of trade stands.

On-track action begins from 9am on both days, with racing starting from 2.10pm on Saturday and 12.15pm on Sunday.

Tickets cost £20 per adult with children under 16 free. Book discounted advance tickets by calling 0845 345 7443 by 5pm on Friday. Free parking and paddock access also available.