Plato leads the field on his way to victory in race two. Picture: Andy Payton

Kent racing fans were treated to a history-making drive by Jason Plato as the British Touring Car season got under way at Brands Hatch on Sunday.

Silverline Chevrolet driver Plato, last season’s champion, broke Andy Rouse’s 60-wins record as he made an impressive start to his defence with victories in races one and two.

Plato’s rival for the this year’s title, Matt Neal, had raised eyebrows in qualifying with a new lap record, but the Honda Racing Civic star’s work was undone when he spun out of the opening race on the first lap.

James Nash (888 Racing Vauxhall Vectra) and Tom Chilton (Aon Ford Focus) completed the top three in race one, with Gordon Sheddon (Honda Racing) and Mat Jackson (Airwaves Ford Focus) joining Plato on the podium in race two.

Neal clinched his first race win of the year in race three, chased home by Jackson and Paul O’Neill (GoMobileUK.com Chevrolet Cruze).