ASTON MARTIN has confirmed that its popular GT4 Challenge will return next year - with more races and an expanded grid.

The one-make race series is based around the V8 Vantage road car and provides the first step on the GT ladder for drivers.

Following this season's inaugural success, Aston Martin Racing has increased the number of races to nine - including two rounds in mainland Europe at Spa Francorchamps and Dijon - as well as introducing two longer, three hour races.

And the grid size is expected to grow to 20 cars, as more teams join the series in its second season.

The 2010 series was won by the father and son partnership of Chris and Ant Scragg, who took every round of the six-race programme.

For 2011, Ant Scragg and fellow GT4 Challenge competitor James Appleby, will step up to the European GT4 Cup where they will compete in a new 2011 Vantage GT4, running as the Generation AMR team.

The GT4 Challenge is open to Aston Martin Vantage N24 and GT4 cars, including the new enhanced Vantage GT4 for 2011.

To ensure competitive racing, there will be mandatory pit stops and teams can have one, two or three drivers.  Six teams already signed up for next season.