Matt Neal’s testing time at Brands Hatch

Neal, who races in a Honda Civic Type R for Halfords Yuasa Racing, was 0.344 seconds behind the leader, Sam Tordoff of AmD Tunning.

He set his time during the morning, but did not reappear after lunch, while team-mate Dan Cammish finished in third place.

Neal said: “It’s a great start to the year – the car feels great, we are very happy.”

There was just 1.868 seconds between last place and Tordoff in first place which could suggest that this season’s BTCC could be quite a tight affair.

“It was a mega day,” said Tordoff, who drives an older shaped Honda Civic Type R compared to Neal. “We’ve done a full race weekend simulation. This morning we carried out a free practice and qualifying run, and this afternoon we’ve completed three race runs.

“The Civic Type R is on the money and is without doubt the best touring car I’ve ever driven.”

Three-time BTCC champion Neal finished ninth in last season’s standings and will be looking to improve on that, having last won the title in 2011.

All of the BTCC racers were at Brands Hatch ahead of the opening weekend of the season at the same venue on April 6 and 7.

Tom Chilton finished second in testing, while reigning champion Colin Turkington put his new BMW seventh.

BTCC’s class of 2019 includes five former champions – including Neal – 18 race-winners, a host of young stars, several debutants, experienced heads and even ex-Formula One driver and Le Mans winner Mark Blundell make up the field.