It's happened already - even before the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship has started at Brands Hatch this coming weekend, two of the expected title front-runners Tom Chilton (Reigate) and Jason Plato (Oxford) have become embroiled in a war of words.

In this weekend's Sunday Mirror newspaper, Chilton said of Plato: "It's all a bit too much for him now. He might just be losing it a bit."

And 21-year-old rising star Chilton has since told btcc.net: "On the test day at Brands Hatch last week, Plato was giving it everything and when he got out of the car was pouring with sweat. He wasn't as fast as James Thompson who's come into the SEAT team and is putting Plato in his place.

"Plato could beat Thommo by knocking him out of the way like he does, but he won't be allowed to because they're team-mates now. The only way he'll beat Thompson is with team orders."

This week, Chilton has been in Barbados, topping up his tan but also relaxing ahead of Brands's big BTCC date and keeping up his fitness regime with 90-minute swimming sessions along the coastline.

Chilton is vying to become the youngest BTCC Champion ever having joined one of the best teams on the grid, Vauxhall's multiple title-winning VX Racing outfit, for 2006. Last week, he was second only to reigning Champion Matt Neal's Team Halfords Honda in testing around Brands Hatch and believes he's a strong contender for victory in this coming weekend's opening three rounds.

He added: "I'm really pleased with the Astra. I almost matched Neal's time and I was able to bang in consistently fast laps over a long run. That bodes well for our race pace, although I'd say we've both got a bit more in reserve.

"I feel comfortable racing anyone. I've been racing most of them for five years now so know all their tricks. I think Neal, Thompson and I are clean and Plato and Fabrizio (Giovanardi, Chilton's new Vauxhall team-mate) will be a bit physical. Rob Collard and Colin Turkington will also be quick in the MGs. Turkington will take a few meetings to get going, though. It's just how he seems to be.

"I still think Matt's going to be the one to beat. I was hanging it all out in the test, but his car still seems like it's on rails. Qualifying on Saturday will be very interesting to watch and the racing on Sunday is going to be really exciting for the crowds, because there are more cars and there are more people on the front-running pace."

Crowds at Brands Hatch on 9 April will get to see the BTCC in race action three times, plus another eight supporting races from high-profile championships put on by top car manufacturers BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT. The pit lane will also be opened free of charge to spectators and families to meet the BTCC drivers and grab give-aways during a special autograph session.

Admittance for the whole day is free for children aged 12 and under and there is still a chance to buy adult tickets at discounted prices - booking online at brandshatch.co.uk costs just £20.