Brands Hatch chief Jonathan Palmer is predicting another great year for the circuit.

Included in the 2009 race line-up are the return of the British Superbikes, the German Touring Car series DTM as well as the British and World Touring Cars and the A1GP.

“It’s going to be another great year for Brands Hatch,” said Palmer, chief executive of the circuit’s owners MotorSport vision.

And Palmer is hopeful that the circuit can maintain the bumper crowds that they’ve enjoyed in recent years - despite the economic gloom.

He said: “They are cautious about where they spend their money and cautious about spending big chunks on things but when it comes to race entry tickets or track days they are relatively minor levels of expenditure.

“Most people don’t need to change their way of life and don’t want to change their way of life. Going down to the pub with their mates or going down to the cinema, going to see the football or going to Brands Hatch to see the Superbikes; it’s part of what they do, part of what I do and there is no financial need to change that and I really don’t see that we’re going to see a significant difference.”

Palmer had extra reason to be cheerful on Monday as his company revealed the new Formula 2 car at Brands Hatch after winning the tender for the new series.

He said: “The highlight for me is the advent of Formula 2 here at Brands Hatch. It’s just the right formula for the current credit crunch crisis that we’re in, because it provides a real affordable alternative to what other drivers can do, and for those drivers who want to join Formula 1 it’s the only real affordable route now.”

MotorSport Vision are building 24 new cars which were built by Formula 1 team Williams and their team principal Frank Williams and co-owner Patrick Head were at Brands for the official unveiling.

“Its been a tremendous challenge but one that Williams have taken up with so much commitment and determination,” said Palmer.

2009 Highlights

March 29: Truck Superprix, April 5: British Touring Car Championship. April 13: British Superbike Championship, May 3: A1GP - World Cup of Motorsport, May 25: Masters Historic Festival, July 5: HSCC Historic Superprix, July 19: World Touring Car Championship & Formula 2 Championship, August 9: British Superbike Championship, September 6: DTM, September 20: British F3/GT Championship, October 4: British Touring Car Championship, Nov 1: Truck Superprix.