Gordon Shedden says he now has all he needs to win a British Touring Car title

The Scot was in contention for the title in both years entering the final round, but lost out on both occasions - with Jason Plato winning the title in 2010 and Shedden's Honda team-mate Matt Neal pipping him last season.

Shedden says that he hopes to step up his efforts again in 2012 as he bids to secure a maiden BTCC crown.

"In 2010 I went into the last race with a chance of winning the championship but it was a long shot," he told fans at the AUTOSPORT International Show. "Last year was the first time really that I went with a genuine chance of picking up the big prize.

"It wasn't to be but I'm on the upward trend - I've been third, been second, so the pressure is on. Touring cars is not an easy championship to come into - there are a lot of drivers coming in from support races who can put a race together, but it is completely different to put a championship together.

"Experience does count though and I know now I've done enough, earned my spurs and am ready to win a championship.

"I gave myself a good shot at the championship last year and it didn't quite work, so I'll just give it even more this year."

Shedden also said that the influx of NGTC technology would leave some of the teams playing catch up, making the start of the season something of a lottery.

"Our car is about a month away to be fair, we're making good progress but its still a while away," he explained. "I think it will be 'lastminute.com' and a few cars will be rocking up at the first race without having done much testing - it'll be a bit of a lottery."