Jason Plato celebrates the first of two wins at Brands Picture: Andy Payton

A record 42,000 fans witnessed Jason Plato clinch the British Touring Car Championship with two lights-to-flag victories.

The title-deciding final round of the championship saw the biggest crowd for a BTCC event since MotorSport Vision took over the running of Brands Hatch in 2004.

Four drivers were in contention for the trophy but Plato proved to be a class above the rest and he ended the weekend with his 60th race win of his career, equalling Andy Rouse’s all-time record in the series.

Plato, racing for the Silverline Chevrolet team, dominated free practice and despite starting with a maximum 45kgs of success ballast he powered to victory, setting a new race lap record in the process to earn a bonus point.

A mechanical failure ended Tom Onslow-Cole’s hopes of the title.

Plato then won race two to take the championship, finishing ahead of Honda Racing’s Matt Neal, who ended the season with second place in the driver standings.

Neal’s teammate Gordon Shedden came third and that was enough to help them clinch the team title for Honda.

Plato said: ""The BTCC is one of the very best championships in the world so to win it is a very magical feeling.

"Everyone in my team, Chevrolet and RML who prepare the car, are the best in the business and also a great family of people so it’s a very joyous experience winning it for them."

The third and final race was won by Andrew Jordan in his Vauxhall Vectra, capitalising on a reverse grid pole position to secure his second race win this season.

Jason Plato, above, on his way to the title at Brands Hatch. Picture: Peter Still