Reigning Dunlop MSA British Touring Car champion Gordon Shedden says series leader Sam Tordoff will be unable to “stroke” his way to his first title at Brands Hatch this weekend.

The Honda driver - who is 11 points off Tordoff at the top of the standings - says his BMW-mounted rival will have to race hard over the deciding three races on Sunday if he is to claim the crown.

Shedden, who handles a Civic Type R for the Halfords Yuasa Racing team, is one of an unprecedented eight drivers in contention.

The Scotsman told KentOnline this week: “In previous years, it really has been down to two people fighting for the title – all I had to do last year was mirror what Jason (Plato) was doing.

“But this year it is different for Sam, he can’t just stroke it around as he is going to have to go out and race.

“I don’t think anyone knows how it will stack up, but there will be a hell of a lot of action.”

Shedden – who would become the first driver to score back-to-back titles since Fabrizio Giovanardi in 2008 if he comes out on top – is two points clear of his teammate Matt Neal.

Tordoff’s stablemate Rob Collard is also in contention, as well as Motorbase Performance drivers Mat Jackson and Andrew Jordan.

Double champion Colin Turkington is seventh in the standings, while series stalwart Jason Plato is eighth but could still mathematically claim the crown.

Shedden added: “All you want coming into the final round at Brands is a chance and that is exactly what we have got.

“I have worked so hard for every point this year and sometimes it can be decided by just one point, so we will see what happens.

“Those random results you pick up over the season sometimes work out by the end of it so we have now just got to get on with it.”

For an interview with Goudhurst touring car star Jake Hill, click here.

The final three rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will be held at Brands Hatch on Sunday. Tickets cost £33 on the gate, with under-13s going free. Visit www.brandshatch.co.uk for details.