The annual curtain-raiser for this weekend's Formula Ford Championships at Brands Hatch took place at the Kent track on Sunday, writes Steve Boniface.

Among the highly entertaning action was the Auto-lite Formula Ford Eurocup which, among others, attracted Jenson Button, the newly-crowned British champion.

Dutchman Ricardo Van Der Ende qualified in pole, but by lap three Button was battling for leadership when the pair collided, putting both out of the race.

This left Derek Hayes in front and he went on to take the chequered flag.

Button and Van der Ende have the chance to settle their "argument" when they line up in the Formula Ford World finals, which attracts all the best drivers, this weekend.

In the BRScc Sportscar LM300 race, Michael Mill-ard was beaten to pole position by Nigel James, but turned the tables in the event proper, winning by nearly 14 seconds.

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