Jackson delighted with start to season

Jackson, who is driving the BMW 320si that Andy Priaulx won last year's world title in under the banner of BMW Dealer Team UK, was on pole for the season-opener and then won race two at Rockingham at the weekend to leave himself as clear contender for the crown.

"We had a lot to come away happy about," said Jackson. "We won race two and we're looking like we're as quick as the Vauxhalls on similar ballast levels, so it all looks good."

The only negative so far this season for the 26-year-old Briton was his retirement from Rockingham's very wet final race, after he slid off into the gravel after making contact with Colin Turkington's Team RAC BMW while battling for the lead.

"It's not going to get me down," added Jackson, who would have been sitting at the top of the championship now had he finished the race.

"The BMW was probably stronger than I thought it would be in wet conditions. It was tricky with rear-wheel-drive in those conditions, but it was controllable. We have a lot of positives now to take to Donington (for the next round)."

As well as lying second in the overall standings, Jackson leads the independent's championship by 11 points from Adam Jones.