Aiello on cash course

The Nissan driver, who has won six of this season's 10 rounds, is halfway to securing the cash prize on offer to any driver who wins four races in a row.

The BTCC rookie will not only scoop the prize if he wins both races, but also extend his commanding 48-point lead at the top of the drivers' championship.

Currently leading the chase to catch Aiello is privateer Matt Neal.

The Nissan driver also won £250,000 when he became the first privateer to win a round of the modern BTCC.

Neal has delivered consistently competitive performances, finishing on the podium a further three times.

Despite his results, the Stourbridge racer is not backing himself to challenge for the title.

'I reckon the top three by the end of the season will be Laurent [Aiello], Jason Plato and David Leslie,' he added.

Honda ace James Thompson has scored points in all but one of this year's races, but knows he needs more wins to overhaul Aiello.

'We were quick out of the box, but the others have caught up a bit,' he said.

John Cleland produced Vauxhall's best qualifying performance of the season at Oulton Park, while team-mate Yvan Muller secured another podium finish.

Ford duo Alain Menu and Anthony Reid have yet to win this year, but will be encouraged by their round nine results, when they crossed the line third and fourth.

After a pair of retirements last time out, Renault's Jason Plato will be hoping for better fortunes at Donington, while last year's champion, Rickard Rydell, is still searching for his and Volvo's first win of the season.

Mark Blair looks most likely to challenge Neal for the Michelin Cup for Independents.

The Matlock-based racer won his Vauxhall seat by winning the Vectra SRi challenge in 1998 and has since stepping up to BTCC