Neal, Plato set for BTCC landmarks

Reigning British Touring Champion Matt Neal will start his 300th race in the second of the meeting's three races, while former champion Jason Plato will be making his 200th start.

Neal made his debut in driving a BMW RKR M3 at Silverstone in 1991, and Plato burst onto the scene in 1997, taking pole position for his maiden race with Williams Renault at Donington Park.

Neal, 39, still classes his 1999 Donington victory, where he won £250,000 for being the first independent driver to win a race outright, as his most cherished memory.

"That race at Donington when we took the cheque off [BTCC boss] Alan Gow - that's still the one, for the crowd as much as anything," Neal said. "The crowd's reaction made it a very special day.

"It's very different these days - a good independent team can come in and take on the big boys, as we proved last year."

Plato, 38, is not especially excited about the landmark however.

"If I'm honest, I don't feel anything about reaching 200 races," Plato said. "It's a nice feeling because I've been about a bit now and can say I'm a bona fide member of that elite club of professional drivers who've enjoyed longevity in their career.

"I've also met some great people, drivers, team members, engineers and so on and the BTCC has been a great place to be. I've been a very lucky lad to have had the opportunities I've had and be part of the scene.

"If I'd got 200 wins it'd mean more. But I know my win ratio is pretty good and no doubt I'll get a groovy cake..."