Jason Plato will be looking to extend his slender lead in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Croft this weekend.

A pair of wins at Oulton Park earlier this month sent the Oxford driver top of the standings, but he is only three points ahead of nearest rival Gordon Shedden.

The haul also means Plato, driving for BMR Racing, is one top-three finish away from 200 career podiums, which he has every chance of achieving in the north east this weekend.

He said: “We had real confidence (at Croft).

“The car was just where we want it and when you’re in the groove with both the car and the circuit it makes the job a whole lot easier.”

The 47-year-old was brought up on Tyneside and is looking forward to heading back to the familiar north east.

He said: “Croft is kind of like my second home track, having grown up in Newcastle.

“The circuit has a fantastic blend of slow, technical corners and some blindingly quick ones, which test the drivers to the max.

“I love our annual trip up north, the crowd there love the BTCC and the BTCC loves Croft.”

While the veteran is the man to catch, the spotlight will also be on a rookie.

Nicolas Hamilton, brother of Formula 1 world champion Lewis, is making his debut.

The meeting marks the halfway point of the season and is followed by a six-week break before it resumes at Snetterton in August.

Qualifying will be held this afternoon, with three races held tomorrow.

STANDINGS

1 J Plato 157pts, 2 G Shedden 154, 3 M Neal 149, 4 A Jordan 144, 5 C Turkington 124.