During the season we will take a look at some of the intrateam battles up and down the BTCC pitlane, and our first glance after nine races is at Adrian Flux with Power Maxed Racing.

Tin-top legend and two-time champion Jason Plato returned to action after a one-year hiatus, and the Vauxhall Astra squad added another series returnee in the shape of Daniel Lloyd when confirming its line-up ahead of the campaign.

Plato’s pedigree and pace is undoubted of course, whilst Lloyd is also hugely respected as one of the fastest young touring car drivers around.

Plato was quick out of the traps with a trio of top six finishes at Thruxton – including a podium in the finale – whereas Lloyd struggled a little initially in Hampshire, before a fifth-place finish in race three rather rescued his weekend.

Lloyd had the upper-hand at Snetterton with a hat-trick of points paying results, whilst Plato’s weekend failed to really take off.

Both drivers were in the heat of battle at Brands Hatch, bringing home points in each contest, but it was Plato’s fourth place that proved to be PMR’s best result of the day.

So, as things stand after nine race Plato is edging things in terms of points and podiums, but Lloyd is leading in qualifying and in overall race results. 

With Oulton Park now less than two weeks away it will be interesting to see how this PMR battle develops over the course of the season…