BTCC reveals '09 calendar.

Although the dates had already been released, the full calendar for the 2009 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship calendar has now been revealed.

The same nine circuits will continue to make up the calendar, but the headline news from the announcement is that the final rounds of the season will definitely take place on the full Grand Prix loop at Brands Hatch.

The season finale this time around had been due to take place on the loop but was switched back to the Indy circuit when it proved impossible to use the venue on Friday for testing in the support classes. With a deal now in place for next season to allow the use of the loop for all three days of the meeting, the GP circuit will be used for the first time since the 2005 campaign.

The season will start at Brands Hatch at the start of April before heading to the quickest circuit on the calendar - Thruxton - for the second round of the year. The series then heads to the new home of the British Grand Prix, Donington Park, for round three before trips to Oulton Park and Croft complete the first half of the season.

Following the traditional summer break, racing will resume at Snetterton in early August before the long trip north to Scotland for the annual Knockhill meeting. Silverstone plays host to round eight with Rockingham then moving towards the end of the season to play host to the penultimate meeting of the year. Brands Hatch will then host Finals Day in early October.

"As is now traditional, our ten meeting calendar travels the length and breadth of the country from Knockhill in Scotland to Thruxton in the South of England," series director Alan Gow said. "As ever, fans in the Midlands are well catered for with rounds at Donington Park, Silverstone and Rockingham while visits to Oulton Park, Croft and Snetterton are well-established favourites with spectators, teams, drivers and sponsors.

"I'm particularly pleased to confirm that next year's BTCC title decider will definitely be held on the world-famous Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit - already it promises to be a fitting finale for what is certain to be yet another season of unpredictable, dramatic and exhilarating competition.

"By confirming our dates and venues in July, other major motor sport organisers now can plan their own events and avoid too many clashes with the BTCC - or at least be aware of where and when the BTCC will be headlining at venues close to them."

2009 BTCC calendar:

4/5 AprilBrands Hatch (Indy)
25/26 AprilThruxton
16/17 MayDonington Park
30/31 MayOulton Park
13/14 JuneCroft
1/2 AugustSnetterton
15/16 AugustKnockhill
29/30 AugustSilverstone
19/20 September Rockingham
3/4 OctoberBrands Hatch (GP)