Brands 1: Neal's opener

It was obvious from the start that poleman Colin Turkington (MG) was struggling with success ballast. First Neal, then Huff and James Thompson all passed him by Druids. But Neal's lead was equally short-lived as an inspired Huff dived inside at Paddock just as the Safety Car exited the pits.

Further back all hell broke loose. Justin Keen (BMW) collected Jason Plato's slow-starting SEAT and pitched the former champion hard into the inside barrier just after the pitlane exit. As Plato speared across the field he took with him privateer John George and Michael Bentwood (who lost his front-row slot when his car failed to start).

"I got tagged from the back," said Plato who appears to be out for the rest of the day. "I got slammed straight into the wall. The car is completely destroyed. We need a new one!"

Once the safety car peeled back in, Huff tried to defend from Neal. He managed to stay in front for a couple of laps until Neal, clearly faster, took him at Paddock on lap 8. Huff lost momentum and was forced to hold Thompson off at Druids.

Further back Chilton, ballast-free, began to start pushing up through the field after a poor start. In no mood to mess about, he was up to sixth by lap 16 when Carl Breeze's impressive Alfa Romeo blew its engine. Chilton then harassed reigning champion Muller who hardly put up a defence.

Turkington, in fourth, proved harder and a contentious manouvre on the run up to Druids saw the MG slew sideways as Chilton went down the inside on lap 18.

Neal by now was well on his way to winning, with Huff quick enough to stay with him, but not keen to risk losing second place himself. Thompson in third, had dropped back however and Chilton set about chasing him down. With two laps to go the pair were together. Coming into Clearways Chilton gave the Vauxhall a gentle tap. Thompson got sideways and the Honda was through into third.

Muller eventually finished fifth despite carrying heavy ballast while Turkington slipped to sixth.

Matt Neal, Honda Civic
Rob Huff, SEAT Toledo Cupra
Tom Chilton, Honda Civic
James Thompson, Vauxhall Astra Coupe
Yvan Muller, Vauxhall Astra Coupe
Colin Turkington, MG ZS