Neate eyes title challenge

Buy photos » Jason Plato (left) and Andy Neate. Picture by Marcus Mingins. 0512017MMR2

UPCOMING star Andy Neate has his sights set on winning the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with the new look MG 'dream team'.

The 37-year-old spoke of his desire to succeed during the launch of the brand new MG KX Momentum Racing team in Longbridge on Monday.

Neate will make his debut, alongside team-mate Jason Plato, at Brands Hatch on April 1 when the BTCC season revs into action.

Neate said: ''It's a big year for me, I really need to move on from a driving perspective - it's the perfect opportunity and I need to grasp it with both hands.

"My expectations are to be a regular front-runner and I've got everything around me to do that.

''Ian Harrison (team principal) has so much experience with bringing drivers through and that shows with the drivers in his portfolio, they've moved on to be fabulous drivers.

"I think I've got the tools within me to do that, but you need the tools to use as well and so now, my expectation is to be a regular podium finisher.

"Over the next couple of years the target will obviously be to try and win the championship. I've got everything around me to do that and I think MG is a fantastic brand to do it with.''

Those behind MG were in high spirits at Monday's launch when they also revealed there would be no team orders, except, in their words, not to crash into each other.