OXFORD driver Jason Plato says he’s “incredibly excited” about leading MG back into the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, which gets under way at Brands Hatch tomorrow.

The famous MG brand will return to the BTCC as a factory team for the first time since 2003 – the first time it has run anything other than Vauxhalls in the series.

After more than 350 races and all his success since he made his BTCC debut back in 1997, Plato says he has rarely been more motivated going into a season.

And that is even if he arrives at Brands with next to no testing in the MG – after a late start it completed just a few tentative laps at last week’s media day launch.

“I’m incredibly excited about this weekend, the first in the new 2012 season,” said the 44-year-old.

“The car looks absolutely amazing and Triple Eight deserves a lot of credit for pulling out all the stops.

“This weekend is all about getting to grips with this NGTC car and realising its potential and the Indy Circuit is one I’ve had great success at so I genuinely can’t wait.”

Joining Plato in the MG line-up is Andy Neate, who showed flashes of speed in a Ford last season.

It was with Triple Eight at Brands that Plato won the first of his two titles back in 2001.