Lee with New Zealand's Jonny Reid

Eighteen months since A1GP got underway, the series returns to where it all began - and Brands Hatch and I cannot wait. We have seen some fantastic racing and experienced some tremendous events and atmospheres but the memory of Robbie Kerr coming out of the pits and the crowds going wild at the first ever race at Brands will always live on in my mind.

The question is can he complete what he almost accomplished so long ago and also make Great Britain the first country to win in front of their home crowd? I think he has a better chance than any other driver has.

For those of you who have never been to an A1GP race, I thoroughly recommend it. You may say that I am biased. I have been to every one so far and present the programme, not only for Sky Sports but also the world feed, in over 80 countries. I spend all week with the drivers and report from the pit lane during the practice, qualifying and the races. Of course I will be biased but I also do that for many other motor sport series and I promise that if you come to Brands Hatch then you won’t be disappointed.

The great thing about A1GP is that all the cars are identical so the driver really does make the difference. The other point is that rather than just any old team, you support your country - national pride is at stake! Whether it is a football, a rugby ball or a single-seater race car – quite simply, "Your country needs you"!

"Your country needs you!"

And for motor sport fans, the grunt is there too. Twenty three, 550bhp cars all thrashing round paddock hill bend is some sight. The A1GP car also has the unique ‘Power-boost’ system which allows the driver to increase the power of the car by about 30 bhp and increase the chance of overtaking. The number of power boosts is limited in both the sprint and feature race.

Not only does it aid drivers’ chances of overtaking but in the very first race at Brands, it also provided some very funny stories. One driver, who shall remain un-named was so excited that he had used all 8 chances by the end of lap 1! Another nameless and shameless driver got his buttons mixed up and when I asked him at the end why he had not used any power boosts, he replied "I got my buttons confused – I’d been pressing the team radio button by mistake."

Now though, at the end of the second season there are no excuses. The honeymoon period for A1GP and many of the drivers is over. Turn up to Brands and you will see some established drivers, taking on the stars of the future. Some countries steeped in motor sport history embarrassed by some emerging nations. But more importantly, turn up at Brands and you will quite simply have a great day out.

Lee McKenzie previews the race at Brands Hatch

We chat to Britain's number one A1GP star Robbie Kerr

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25th April 2007