The DTM has agreed a new contract which will see it continue to race at Brands Hatch for the next three years.

The contract was agreed during the recent round of the German-based touring car series at the Kent circuit, with series chairman Hans Werner Aufrecht and Brands Hatch chief executive Jonathan Palmer also revealing that the Brands Hatch round of the 2009 season will be held on the weekend of 28-30 August.

"DTM enjoys increasing popularity in Great Britain," Aufrecht said. "The 26,000 spectators that attended this year's race held at the venue located close to London represented a new record crowd.

"The extension of the contract represents an important step on the way to further establishing DTM in one of the automotive industry's core markets."

The deal to retain the DTM rounds comes at the same time as A1GP confirmed that it will again return to Brands Hatch next year for the fourth year in succession, and Palmer said he was pleased to see the series confirm its intention to keep the British round at the famed former Grand Prix venue.

"DTM has been the biggest car racing event on our calendar this season, and I am thrilled that the series will be returning to Brands Hatch for the next three years," he said. "DTM's great atmosphere and exciting racing attracts more British fans each year, and together we will work to make the series even more successful in the UK."