A1GP World Cup of Motorsport heads to Brands Hatch for the penultimate round of the 2008/09 season this weekend, 1- 3 May, with Dan Clarke hoping for success in front of his home crowd and Aaron Steele getting his first chance in the Rookie session at his local track.

Home nation A1 Team Great Britain has had a mixed season to date sitting tenth in the championship, despite claiming two podium finishes and a pole position in Chengdu, China. However, the team has always performed well on home soil and Clarke will be looking for a boost from the British crowds to help get a good result next Sunday.

"I haven't raced at Brands since 2004 when I won the Formula Ford Festival and because of that success this circuit will always be special for me," said Clarke. "It's also a great place to go racing, both for drivers and fans and I'm sure it will suit the A1GP car.

"It's a unique home race for me, as I know that as the driver of the British car most of the fans will be supporting us. It is a big motivation to do as well as we can, although I am realistic about our potential for the weekend. I'm up against drivers who have much more experience of this car and the series, while I jumped in only recently. Of course we're all racing to win and a podium would be fantastic for the British team at the British race, but if we're close to this it will still be an achievement."

Clarke, 25, has started four races for A1 Team Great Britain this season, scoring his best finish of seventh last time out in Portugal and will be looking to build on that next weekend. Steele, the rookie driver, will get his first taste of the new car on Friday morning.

The 20-year-old from Chatham in Kent became the sixth finalist for the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award last year after winning a nail biting Formula Palmer Audi shootout race at Brands Hatch last November. After graduating from karting, Steele has competed in Formula Palmer Audi, BARC Formula Renault Championship and the Formula BMW UK Championship.