OXFORD’S Jason Plato says he fully intends taking another bite out of Matt Neal’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship points lead at Knockhill tomorrow.

MG ace Plato slashed a 29-point gap to his Honda rival down to just ten at Snetterton a fortnight ago when their cars also twice came to blows in as many corners.

It was the latest clash in their long-running rivalry, but one which has added even greater excitement in the build-up to the three races at Knockhill.

Plato has won at the Fife circuit a record eight times, and is desperate to ensure he ends the season with the third title, while Neal is hoping he can hold on for his fourth.

Plato said: “We had a great run at Snetterton with a win in the first race and it would have been two in the second had it not been for the incident with Matt. “But that’s history and now it’s time for Knockhill which I love. We’re going there to take more of a bite out of the Hondas and we want to leave either leading it or very, very close to whoever is leading.”

Plato also believes his KX Momentum Racing MG6 will have a slight edge over the Yuasa Honda Civics of Neal and teammate Gordon Shedden, who lies between them in second in the standings.

He added: “We are going with the opinion that we will be better than Honda.

“They keep saying it’s the Civic’s chassis which is saving them because they’re not so quick in a straight line, but I don’t buy that.

“At Snetterton I think I was only 1mph or so up on them in a straight line. There’s really not that much in it.

“We’re improving our car on a daily basis and it’s now very good and there’s more to come. “Our Achilles heel, if any, has been stability at the rear on corner entry, but we’re making inroads in that department.”

But Plato also sounded a note of caution.

“I actually think both we and Honda might find it tough at Knockhill,” he said. “I think Frank (Wrathall) in the Toyota and the Fords will be right in there. I suspect it’s going to be a really close and very interesting weekend.”

Standings (top ten): 1 M Neal 255pts, 2 G Shedden 247, 3 J Plato 245, 4 A Jordan 218, 5 R Collard 178, 6 M Jackson 170, 7 T Onslow-Cole 161, 8 F Wrathall 118, 9 D Newsham 114, 10 J Smith 95.

  • BANBURY’S Michael Meadows will be looking to maintain his grip at the top of the Porsche Carrera Cup GB at Knockhill.

And Chipping Norton’s Fergus Walkinshaw, who stands eighth in the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup, continues his challenge at the Scottish track.