Matt Neal confirms “new model” in 2015
Matt Neal has confirmed on Twitter that he will return behind the wheel of one of Honda’s “new models” for the 2015 BTCC season.
The three-time BTCC champion informed his 26,000 followers that he had spent the day at Honda’s manufacturing plant in Swindon, where he saw “next year’s new car models”. A number of his fans replied to his tweet, including one asking if he would be racing in one of the new models, to which the reply came “Sure will!”
Awesome day today at @Honda_UK Manufacturing Swindon who let us see next years new car models! No pics allowed but cool as!
— Matt Neal (@MattNealRacing) November 25, 2014
“@tfirth392: @MattNealRacing @Honda_UK Will you be racing one of those new models?” Sure will! 😃😃😃
— Matt Neal (@MattNealRacing) November 25, 2014
Rumour has been rife that Team Dynamics will be switching models away from the Civic Tourer over the winter, with expectations set that the team would switch to the new-for-2015 Type R for a race programme in 2015 sould Honda continue.
Gordon Shedden suggested the team may be looking at running the Type R at the Brands Hatch season finale, stating the car “looks fantastic,” before concluding “Whatever we do we need to be competitive and I hope we can do something with the Type R, I think it’ll be a cracking little touring car.”
While nothing has officially been confirmed in terms of Honda’s involvement in the BTCC, with the marque joining Formula 1 next season with McLaren as well as continuing to compete in the FIA World Touring Car Championship, Neal’s comments suggest that work is ongoing to keep the Japanese brand in the championship and attempt to reclaim the Manufacturer’s title in 2015.
