Airwaves BMW will be looking to make home advantage count when the British Touring Car Championship opens at Brands Hatch this weekend.

The Wrotham-based team, who ended last year with regular podium finishes under the Motorbase Performance banner, now want to make an even bigger impact this season.

A big sponsor and a new driver have arrived over the winter and team principle David Bartrum is hoping a maiden victory is within sight.

Bartrum said: “We’re much further ahead in terms of readiness than we were at the same point last year.

“I’d be happy with a repeat of our last competitive outing at Brands and take a podium finish in every race. If we could secure a win in front of the fans at our local track that would be a fantastic way to start the 2009 season.”

Highly-rated young driver Jonny Adam joins last season’s driver Rob Collard in the team.

Adam said: “I think our race pace will be good but we have to qualify well. That will be important because it’s such a short, fast lap around the Brands Hatch Indy track. If we can do that then Rob and myself will hopefully be able to score some podiums and be in the hunt for a win.”

VX Racing will be the team to beat, after they won the team and driver titles last year. Reigning champion Fabrizio Giovanardi is bidding to become the first driver in more than 25 years to secure three back-to-back titles.

Qualifying is on Saturday and tickets cost £12, while gate tickets on Sunday for the racing costs £28. Children aged 12 and under get in free.