Valentino Rossi will race at Brands Hatch for a third successive season in one of the highlights of the circuit's 2024 calendar.

The MotoGP legend is only competing in two GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup events this year, but has chosen the May 4-5 fixture on the Grand Prix loop as one of those.

The Italian will share a BMW M4 GT3 with Maxime Martin - a year after the pair scored a podium finish at the same event.

Rossi, 45, is concentrating on the World Endurance Championship and GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup this season as he continues his transition from bikes to cars.

But his appearance in the Sprint Cup at Brands Hatch - which forms the championship's opening round - will delight his hordes of fans, with thousands expected to watch him compete in a pair of hour-long races.

Rossi, who will drive for Team WRT, told KentOnline last year how Sheene Curve is his favourite bend on the "great" 2.4-mile Grand Prix loop.

"I like it a lot and, for me, Brands Hatch is the Donington for cars," he said.

"It is very similar, very technical and fast, with a lot of quick corners and a lot of ups and downs and greenery. It is a great track."

Rossi's other Sprint Cup outing will come at Misano in Italy, where he took his maiden victory in the category last year.

Sam de Haan - the youngest son of former Saga boss Sir Roger - will join Rossi in the Team WRT garage, sharing a BMW M4 GT3 with Calan Williams.

Other highlights on the 2024 Brands Hatch calendar include two dates each for the British Superbike Championship (BSB) and British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).

The BSB season is starting at Spain's Circuito de Navarra - now run by Brands Hatch owner MSV - but will come to Kent on July 19-21 and October 11-13 for its finale.

The BTCC will also conclude on the Grand Prix circuit (October 5-6), with the Indy circuit hosting its second round on May 11-12.

Platts Heath charger Jake Hill, who turned 30 last week, will be among the favourites for the tin-top title as he returns to West Surrey Racing for a third successive season.

Brands Hatch 2024 calendar highlights:

- March 31-April 1 – British Truck Racing Championship

- May 4-5 – Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS

- May 11-12 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

- May 25-26 – Masters Historic Festival

- June 8-9 – American SpeedFest 11 powered by Lucas Oil

- June 16 – Tunerfest South

- June 29-30 – Super Touring Power 2

- July 13-14 – HSCC Legends of Brands Hatch Superprix

- July 19-21 – Bennetts British Superbike Championship

- August 4 – Mini Festival

- August 11 – Festival Italia

- August 26 – Brands Britannia

- September 8 – Go Japan!

- September 15 – Ford Power Live

- September 28-29 – British GT and GB3 Championships

- October 5-6 – Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship

- October 11-13 – Bennetts British Superbike Championship

- November 2-3 – British Truck Racing and fireworks

The Brands Hatch circuit racing season will start with the BMCRC Club Bike Championships on March 16-17, before the first car event is held on March 23-24 with Equipe Classic Racing.