Jason Plato has had his competition licence endorsed following his latest controversial clash with old rival Matt Neal in Sunday’s third HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship race at Croft.

Their cars tangled first at the hairpin and then Clervaux corner in pouring wet conditions. Neal’s Vectra was sent spinning onto the infield before he recovered to salvage an eighth place finish.

Racing Silverline Chevrolet driver Plato went on to finish in fifth but did not escape punishment from the officials.

He received two penalty points on his racing licence and an official reprimand for driving in a matter incompatible with general safety.

Plato told btcc.net: “I simply aquaplaned into Matt going into the corner – my car was out of control as I tried braking. Then as we turned the corner there was a huge puddle and I had to hit the power to get out of it and there was a bit more contact. It wasn’t deliberate and I did try explaining to him afterwards. If it hadn't been Matt then it would have been someone else.”

Then incident was viewed somewhat differently by Neal, however. Although he was able to rejoin the track – and pull off a daredevil move past Jonathan Adam’s Airwaves BMW through the Jim Clark Esses on the final lap – he has lost his long-held championship lead to Team RAC BMW driver Colin Turkington.

Neal said: “Jason reckons he aquaplaned into me… which I can accept to a point. But to then keep your foot in at the exit of the corner and turn someone around is pushing it to the limits, I’d say. Bear in mind he’d already hit me twice at the previous corner as well. He had me off at the Old Hairpin at Donington Park as well but I’m a big enough boy to realise that what goes around comes around.”