Triple Eight’s Jason Plato said he was “dead chuffed” with his weekend’s work at Snetterton, but is predicting a rear-wheel drive whitewash at the next round at Knockhill in three weeks’ time.

The 2001 and 2010 champion followed up pole position with two wins and a fourth, to close the gap slightly to series leader Colin Turkington in the West Surrey Racing BMW.

But as was the case post-qualifying, Plato’s main wish is to see the rear-wheel drive machinery pegged back.

He said: “They have to change the regulations, otherwise it will destroy the formula. Our centre of mass is in front of the front wheels. Where’s the BMW’s? Nearly a metre further back than mine.

“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out that’s an advantage. Weight distribution is critical. They should never have let rear-wheel drive cars in [to NGTC].

“I’m dead chuffed, I’ve had a great weekend, but it feels like I’m swimming uphill at the moment.”

Looking ahead to the series’ visit to Scotland, Plato said: “We’re going to get annihilated. That’s not being dramatic, that’s being honest. Rear-wheel drives will win all three races.

“I’ll still get stuck in, but it doesn’t suit our car. Rockingham, Silverstone, and Brands Hatch – I’ll be on the pace there. But so will the BMWs.”

Despite his frustration at the rules, Plato relished the battle he had with his title rival across the course of the day.

Asked which was the best of his two wins, he said: “Race two. It was a great race, and Colin drove brilliantly. There was quite a lot of psychology involved, both from his perspective and from mine, working out how we should play it.

“Once he got in the lead, my gameplan was just to stay in contact and get away from the guys behind. I did that, and I mounted my challenge.

“He made a little error in Coram, and allowed me to close up by about a car length, and that just put him under pressure. I kept the pressure up for two laps and then I made my move.”

Race three also saw a shrewd drive up to fourth from eighth, but left Plato less than impressed with the effects of the reverse grid.

He said: “The purist says – and I don’t mean this to sound the wrong way – is you’ve got guys who either don’t have the ability to run at the front, or don’t have the equipment, or a mixture of all.

“It’s their moment of glory, and they drive accordingly. Because they’re not quick, their turbo boost means they are fast down the straights, they can make a mistake into the corner, and you still can’t get past.

“It causes action, and that’s what the spectators want. But it’s frustrating for us. I just needed to keep my nose clean and think of the bigger picture.

“I’m surprised at Colin, because I think he drove like a bit of a plonker in that one. He didn’t need to be as aggressive as he was.”