Oxford's Jason Plato admitted to being surprised after storming to victory at the opening round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch.

Plato gave MG a winning return to the series as he chased down Andrew Jordan to snatch the 69th win of his career in the final race.

On top of a fourth and third-place finish in the opening two races – won by Robert Collard and Matt Neal – it shot Plato to the top of the standings “We weren’t expecting anything like this,” he said.

“It’s been a fantastic day. The way (the team) have brought this car on over the course of the weekend is phenomenal.”

Plato had been involved in a ding-dong battle with Neal in race two, where he sustained some rear-end damage as they challenged for the lead.

In the end, Neal pulled clear and it was a Honda one-two as Jordan snuck ahead of Plato to leave him with the consolation of a bonus point for the fastest lap.

Plato added: “It was very nice to have a race with Matt and not have him disappear in a straight line which happened last year.

“At last, here we were in a straight fight which the fans want to see.

“Even though I came second I don’t mind that when we’re fighting in pretty equal cars.”

Standings (top ten): 1 J Plato 52pts; 2 M Neal 48; 3 A Jordan 45; 4 R Collard 43; 5 R Austin 30; 6 J Smith 28; 7 D Newsham 24; 8 T Onslow-Cole 22; 9 M Jackson 22; 10 L Wood 13.

JAMES Pratt, from Dorchester-on-Thames, won the opening race as the Brisca Heritage Racing season got under way at Birmingham Wheels Oval Racing Stadium.

He was out of luck in the two other races, and lies fourth in the standings.