JASON Plato kept the British Touring Car Championship title race alive with two wins at Silverstone, but the Oxford driver believes it is too late for him to catch leader Colin Turkington.

Plato thrillingly passed his rival on the way to victories in the first two races, but had to settle for fourth behind Turkington after an incredible five-way battle in the final race.

Plato said: “I’ve been in a fighting mood and it was great to take those two wins.

“It got a bit saucy in race three today but it was a really great battle.”

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The weekend strengthened Plato’s second position in the standings, but he only trimmed Turkington’s lead to 50 points.

With just the final round at Brands Hatch next month remaining, the 46-year-old’s chances are very slim.

Instead, his aim will be to help secure the manufacturers’ title for MG KX Clubcard Fuel Save, where he and teammate Sam Tordoff have a 28-point lead over Honda Yuasa heading to the Kent circuit.

Plato said: “Looking ahead our focus now is to win the manufacturers’ title for MG and that means that both myself and Sam have to finish all three races at Brands Hatch.

“I’m going to go out there to try to win more races, but realistically the gap in the drivers’ standings is too big.”

Drivers’ Standings

1 C Turkington 417pts, 2 J Plato 367, 3 G Shedden 317, 4 M Jackson 283, 5 A Jordan 279.

Constructors' Standings 

1 MG/Triple Eight 846pts, 2 Honda/Dynamics 818.

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