Neal: Jackson is a contender.

He may have only competed in three races in the series proper, but Mat Jackson is a serious contender for the 2007 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship according to double champion Matt Neal.

The reigning SEAT Cupra champion was one of the stars of the opening weekend of the season at Brands Hatch, overcoming an exclusion from the opening race to come back through the field in race two and finish the weekend with a podium finish in race three.

With that in mind, Neal admitted that he believes Jackson could go all the way in his debut season and claim the title, which would bring to an end his own personal run of championship success.

"Mat Jackson was the big surprise at Brands," Neal said of the 25-year-old. "I think he could be in the title fight, definitely.

"He's staying out of trouble and looks like he can handle the car well...and it's a quick car."

Neal added that the raft of competitive cars entered into the series this season was making the going tough into the new season, with a dozen or so drivers now more than capable of fighting for honours at the front.

"There are now so many quick cars out there with decent drivers in them that it's tough just to get into the top ten," he said.

Neal is second in the standings heading to Rockingham, having taken the first win for the new Honda Civic in the third race at Brands Hatch.