DROITWICH'S Matt Neal feels his second position in the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship flatters his current true form.

Reigning champion Neal, preparing for Sunday's rounds at Rockingham, is only behind SEAT's Jason Plato after a shock win in Team Halfords' untried Honda Civic at Brands Hatch a fortnight ago.

But Neal said: "We qualified ninth fastest at Brands and in reality that's probably where we are compared to the others.

"I got a bit lucky with some others having a bit of misfortune in the opening two races which helped give me a chance of the win in the third race. I was also fortunate that, once in front, it's quite easy to defend around Brands as it's so tight.

"That wouldn't have been the case had it been one of the more open, flowing circuits."

Neal's team, who have only had one day's holiday since Christmas, have continued working flat-out to improve their Civic's performance in time for Rockingham.

But while his crew has managed to secure extra power from his car's engine, even Neal admits that might not be enough to overcome the fact he missed last month's crucial test session at Rockingham.

Neal added: "The car wasn't ready to run and that's going to stick us on the back foot.

"We'll be going there not even knowing the gear ratios. But they are the cards we've got and we have to play them the best we can."