A pair of victories kept Jason Plato’s title hopes in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship firmly on track.

The Oxford driver snatched his second win at Silverstone in an incredible race three in his MG KX Momentum Racing MG6, despite starting 20th on the grid.

It moved Plato up to second in the standings, and slashed the deficit to leader Gordon Shedden from 32 points to 15 ahead of the final round next weekend.

It was close to being a perfect meeting for Plato, who turns 45 tomorrow, but he was forced to retire from a winning position in the second race, which was won by Mat Jackson in his Redstone Racing Ford Focus.

He said: “Despite the retirement in race two this is still one of the best days in my BTCC career.

“We’ve made more progress with our MG6 – in fact it’s a rocketship – and our tails are well and truly in the air.

“For MG to go into the final round with a chance of lifting the title in its first year back in the championship is fantastic, and I really believe we’ve got the Honda boys worried.”

Plato, who is looking to win his third BTCC title, is one of four men who can still finish on top with just three races at Brands Hatch remaining.

Also in with a chance of overhauling Shedden are Matt Neal and rank outsider And-rew Jordan.

Standings (top ten): 1 G Shedden 364pts, 2 J Plato 349, 3 M Neal 333, 4 A Jordan 303, 5 R Collard 293, 6 M Jackson 264, 7 T Onslow-Cole 255, 8 D Newsham 183, 9 A Smith 159, 10 N Foster 158.