Photo: BTCC media

Confirmed – Neal joins VXR in 2008

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What TouringCarTimes reported earlier today has now been confirmed: Matt Neal will partner new Champion Fabrizio Giovanardi in Vauxhall’s 2008 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship line-up. His family’s Team Dynamics squad will continue to operate a two-car outfit with Halfords title sponsorship next season.

Neal’s confirmation with the VX Racing team was confirmed tonight in the Thruxton paddock following today’s title-deciding rounds in which Giovanardi not only won the Drivers’ title but also Vauxhall the Manufacturers’ crown.

Champion in 2005 and 2006, Neal said: “It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly, given my close family links with Team Dynamics and a great team set-up which has supported me in winning two BTCC titles.

“However, life is about challenges and changes and while I am sad to leave Dynamics I am excited about my new challenge ahead. I would also like to thank Halfords for its support over the past year and say that I am really thrilled that it is continuing its sponsorship into the new season.”

Neal has raced for Vauxhall’s factory team before, during the 2002 season when he was part of its satellite Egg:Sport team with which he won several races. Now, though, five years on, he joins its VXR squad alongside Giovanardi and in its proven Vectra model in which the Italian has won an unrivalled ten times in 2007.

VXR Brand Manager Stuart Harris commented: “We’ve been very impressed by Matt’s approach over the years. He’s been a great ambassador for the sport with his clean, progressive racing and we’re delighted to add him to the squad.”

Neal added: “I’ve always admired VX Racing as a good professional team with a friendly atmosphere. Racing against VXR has been annoyingly consistent! When it was running the all-conquering Astras in the early 2000s, it was tough because its cars would be knocking in the results day-in-and-day-out!

“I’m going into it wanting to do the best job. I want to win races and championships but if I can’t do the latter I will do my utmost to aid my team-mate along the way. I’m a team player and always have been.”