Croft’s second race started as the first had ended, with Jason Plato taking up pole position. Plato led into the first corner, ahead of Matt Neal, who got the jump on James Thompson at the start.

In his second BTCC race, VX Racing driver Erkut Kizilirmak ran wide at Clervaux on the opening lap. The Turk was able to get back on track, but retired from the race just a few laps later when his brakes caught fire and he was forced to come into the pits.

The race order remained unchanged at the front for the first few laps, with Plato leading from Neal, Thompson, Turkington and Shedden. There was a clash between Rob Collard and Fabrizio Giovanardi out on the approach to the fast Sunny section of the track, which caused both drivers to retire from the race.

Meanwhile, the battle for the lead continued, with Matt Neal desperately searching for a way past Plato. The reigning champion made a couple of attempts through the Complex, but Plato was faultless.

Neal kept the pressure on the SEAT driver and with two laps remaining, it paid off. It always looked like it be at the hairpin if Neal was going to find a way past, and indeed it was. He took the inside line into the corner and squeezed Plato wide on the exit to edge through.

After the race, Neal said, “[Plato] just didn’t make a mistake. Eventually I got a little bit of a run and found a way through. He’s done it to me a few times here in recent years, so it’s about time I returned the favour.”

The closing stages of the race also saw a battle for third position. A heavily ballasted James Thompson did his best to fend off the power of youth in the form of Colin Turkington and Gordon Shedden, but he was unable to keep the pair at bay. He almost lost out to Gavin Smith as well, but just managed to win a drag race to the line.

At the flag, it was a win for Matt Neal, ahead of Plato and Turkington. Shedden was fourth, Thompson was fifth and Smith sixth. James Kaye finished seventh for Synchro Motorsport, ahead of VXR’s Tom Chilton. Dave Pinkney and Mike Jordan completed the top ten in their independent Integras.