Reigning champion Matt Neal has admitted to feeling nervous about his chances in this Sunday's opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship rounds at Brands Hatch.

The 39-year-old is aiming to become the first driver for almost 20 years to win back-to-back BTCC titles after lifting the crown for his father Steve Neal's Team Halfords squad in 2005.

Last week his Honda Integra was fastest in testing at Brands Hatch, but Neal, who has been racing in the BTCC since 1991, is urging caution among those who think he is set for another title-winning season. He said Vauxhall's VX Racing team, based at Greatworth, near Banbury, and SEAT driver Jason Plato, from Oxford, were likely to be strong contenders.

Neal said: "You'd think with all the years I've been doing this I'd be as cool as a cucumber, but I still get the nerves just thinking about it. Not because of the occasion, but because I still want to do well and be a contender.

"I don't find it different just because I'm the reigning champion. In fact, being champion means I've effectively painted a target on my car. Everyone wants to beat the champion and if someone sees number 1 on your car then you're the biggest scalp out there to be claimed.

"It was nice to come out on top in the test last week, but it could be that everyone else is holding back. We've got a little bit in reserve just in case, but who knows how much the others have got?

"I think SEAT and Vauxhall will be really strong, SEAT in particular with the new Leon model and two very experienced drivers in James Thompson and Jason Plato. If those two beat me at Brands then it's an indication of what to expect for the rest of the season. Trouble, in other words . . .

"The racing is going to be bloody close all year real nip-and-tuck stuff and probably even more so at Brands Hatch because of the sort of place it is."