WORCESTERSHIRE driver Matt Neal is the early joint leader of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after a victorious opening weekend at Brands Hatch.

The 48-year-old from Shenstone won the third race at the Kent track’s Indy circuit in the new-look Honda Civic Type R, having finished eighth in the first two.

Honda Yuasa Racing team-mate Gordon Shedden won the second race after finishing sixth in the first, but failed to finish in the third.

Rivals Rob Austin Racing, also based on the Pershore Trading Estate, improved as the meeting progressed with team principal Austin finishing 14th, 10th and fifth in the respective three races, while team-mate Hunter Abbott was 18th, 11th and 10th.

Neal, top of the standings on 37 points with Jack Goff of MG Triple Eight Racing, said: “For the first two races it was Flash (Shedden) leading the charge, but for me to score a win here as well, it’s a massive bonus.

“The weekend started off as a bit of a journey into the unknown, but the team’s performance this weekend has been brilliant.”

Triple World Touring Car champion Andy Priaulx took pole position for the first race on his series return but despite driving well for the first half of the race, victory went to WSR team-mate Robert Collard by 0.411 seconds. Aron Smith and Jason Plato, both driving Volkswagen CC’s, were second and third.

Then came the double for the Honda Civic Type R with Shedden taking a win that had the huge crowd on their feet.

Two-time champion Plato had looked set for victory in race two before a puncture.

Despite Priaulx’s fantastic efforts to chase him down following Plato’s exit, it was Shedden who held on to take one of the most enthralling and closest ever BTCC victories, winning by just 0.040secs. Defending champion Colin Turkington finished third.

Pole-sitter Austin remained out front in the early stages of race three but he couldn’t shake off Neal and Goff.

Neal made his move on lap 21 and was immediately followed through by Goff. Neal won by 0.196secs from Goff with Smith third.

Austin said: “This is the best start we’ve had to a BTCC season. We’ve been up there hustling and fighting for good results with both cars and our restructured team behind the scenes has worked together better than ever before.”

The next meeting is at Donington Park on Sunday, April 19.