ROUNDS 16, 17 and 18 of the 2006 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) await at Donington Park on Sunday.

Reigning champion Matt Neal, of Team Halfords Honda, is favourite for victory but Team RAC'S Colin Turkington and SEAT Sports' Jason Plato are strong contenders.

Turkington and Plato, second and third in the championship, will be hoping to cut into Neal's impressive 37-point lead.

The Droitwich Spa driver has amassed five victories from the first 15 races of the championship.

Vauxhall's experienced Fabrizio Giovanardi and up-and-coming talents Tom Chilton and Gavin Smith will be hoping to repeat last year's performance.

The team took their first victory of the season, starting a run that ended in their fourth consecutive drivers', manufacturers' and teams' championship titles.

Neal is still the man to catch, however, and his past achievements at Donington should worry fellow competitors.

"I have great memories of the circuit, winning two races there last year and also winning £250,000 for being the first independent driver to be a race winner," said Neal.

"I do enjoy the circuit, as it flows, allowing high speeds. Winning this time, however, is not a priority.

"At this stage in the season things get a little fraught so I am just looking to get as many points as possible because every driver and team will be extremely competitive."

"I've been following the British Touring Cars for years," said the circuit's managing director Brian Pallett.

"It's all about heroes and villains, with great battles and big characters. It's entertainment with the sport element thrown in as well.

"Donington Park is the perfect circuit for touring cars because of its undulations and the variation of corners. It's a great leveller for the cars, so fans can expect some great action here over the weekend."