Photo: PSP Images

Four-way fight at Brands Hatch for title

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The final round of the 2010 BTCC season will see a record entry of cars at the Kent circuit, as four drivers have the potential to leave as the champion.

Jason Plato goes in with a 17 point lead over Matt Neal, both drivers former champions, and Jason has the strongest chance of taking his second ever BTCC title this weekend for Chevrolet, in their first season as a manufacturer entry in the championship.

Matt Neal can win his third title, with the team he won his first two titles with back in 2005-2006, but has an unexpected rival in Gordon Shedden, who is just four points behind and in the hunt for his first ever BTCC crown.

“There is no pressure on me this weekend because I am going to do my usual job,” said Matt Neal.

“I am going out there to win the races, and the rest of it can take care of itself. It is a good position to be in; I would rather be the hunter than the hunted.”

Shedden’s relaxed about his outside shot at the title.

“I haven’t been in this position before I feel very relaxed about it and I know that it is down to my performances on the day,” said Shedden

“I know that I need to win at least one of the races to be in with a chance of the title, so that will be my initial aim. After that, it depends on what happens to the others.”

Tom Onslow-Cole is the fourth driver in contention for the title, in the Team Aon Ford Focus ST. If the Team Aon driver can outscore Plato and the Honda’s by 24 points, as he did at Silverstone, the 23-year old can lift his and Arena Motorsports first BTCC titles.

The Focus has been the most circuit dependent team of the season, with some tracks suiting the car far more than others, and the short Brands Hatch circuit is expected to be one of those that favours the LPG-powered Focus.

“I can’t wait for Brands Hatch,” said Onslow-Cole.

“Although we are going in to the day 4th, that means we are the lightest of the title contenders, (in terms of success ballast) which could put us ahead in Qualifying and Race one. Brands is a short lap, meaning a tenth [of a second] in quali can be the difference between 1st and 5th.”

A season record 25 cars, not including the new Next Generation Touring Car Toyota Avensis (which will take part in the Saturday free practice session), will compete this weekend at the 2010 British Touring Car Championship season ender, with 29 drivers having competed across the season.