DEFENDING champion Matt Neal admits he has no idea what to expect in terms of success when the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship rocks up at Donington Park this weekend.

Neal, also winner in 2005 and 2006, heads to the Leicestershire circuit second in the standings, four behind Jason Plato following the opening meeting at Brands Hatch a fortnight ago.

However, the Worcestershire race ace believes there is still an element of the unknown as he continues to get to grips with the NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) Honda Civic.

Although he won race two in Kent, and was second in the first, Neal feels his Pershore-based Honda Yuasa Racing Team have had unfair restrictions placed on their turbo-charged engine as part of, what is effectively, a handicapping system.

That remains an issue ahead of rounds four, five and six at Donington and could have a bearing on the outcome.

Neal, 45, said: “Last year we had really good straight line speed but this year we haven’t got that.

“The weather also looks like it’s going to be a lottery for us.

“It was great to get a first win in the new car but other cars were fast too.”

Team-mate Gordon Shedden, however, will be hoping for a better weekend after being stripped of fourth place in race three after officials ruled his crew had carried out unauthorised work on his car during a red flag stoppage period. The Scot, runner-up last year, had to retire in the second contest and finished the first in fifth position, leaving him 11th in the early standings It was a good opening three rounds, though, for Pershore rivals Rob Austin Racing and they will be looking to build on that in the East Midlands.

Austin claimed two fifth-place finishes and an eighth in his Audi A4 and believes he can start challenging for podium positions.

However, it looks like the team will only have one car on the grid as anticipated as second driver Mark Hazell has stepped down due to personal reasons.

Austin said: “Brands Hatch was just extremely frustrating all weekend and I don’t feel we achieved anything like what was possible.

“I think Donington will be better — the Audi’s chassis should suit the faster corners — and Thruxton at the end of the month should be really strong for us.

“It’s all theory on paper until we get on track, but if we have got our sums right then it’s important we make the most of these next two events.”