Jackson title contender says Neal

Reigning champion Matt Neal believes Dunlop MSA British Touring Car rookie Mat Jackson could win the championship at his first attempt. Neal said that Jackson’s BTCC debut at Brands Hatch, when he took a third place finish in his family-run BMW, showed that the 25-year-old is capable of mixing it with established names.

“Mat Jackson was the big surprise at Brands. I think he could be in the title fight, definitely,” said Neal.

“He’s staying out of trouble and looks like he can handle the car well… and it’s a quick car.”

Neal also said that the emergence of more emerging talents, such as Tom Onslow-Cole, Adam Jones and Matt Allison was making it more difficult to succeed in the BTCC.

Jones, whose CV includes beating Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso in karts, and 19-year-old Onslow-Cole, the reigning Renault Clio champion, were both on the front-running pace at Brands. Indeed, Jones came away the shock leader of the Independents Drivers’ standings. Allison, meanwhile, twice finished in the points on his debut appearance in the series.

Neal added: “There are now so many quick cars out there with decent drivers in them that it’s tough just to get into the top ten.”