Photo: P.S.P

Neate rejected at WSR

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Former Fiesta champion and SEAT Cupra racer Andy Neate has revealed his disappointment at failing to secure a top drive at Team RAC for the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship.
Neate, who has enjoyed brief outings in the BTCC in 2001 and 2005 but has failed to mount a sustained attack on the series, was in the running to partner Colin Turkington in the team’s second BMW 320si E90.

Neate, 33, told BTCCPages, “I really thought this year was going to be the one for me. I put in a lot of hard work during late 2006 through 2007 to align myself with the required backing to approach the best teams. With respect to the teams operating outside of the top four in the BTCC if you want sustained success with a future in the sport, positioning is key. You only have to look at Gordon Shedden, Colin Turkington, Tom Chilton and Tom Onslow-Cole to verify this.”

As negotiations continued during the winter period, Neate had the opportunity to test one of Team RAC’s race-winning BMWs. “WSR were always going to be my first choice”, added Neate. “I have kept in touch with Dick Bennetts for a number of years. The negotiations with WSR were going extremely well. Dick was extremely happy with my performance in the car and indeed so was I.”

Last week’s announcement of former F3 racer Stephen Jelley as the driver of Team RAC’s second BTCC BMW in 2008 left Neate with something of a dilemma. A third car remained a possibility, but it would not be ready in time for the season’s opening meeting at Brands Hatch.

“I convinced myself the second seat was going to be mine”, continued Neate. “I was counting down the hours to media day. Once I discovered I’d lost out I was very upset as you can imagine. I must say with credit to Dick Bennett’s and everyone involved at WSR once the decision was made they worked tirelessly to try and get the required kit together to build a third car in time for Brands but due to many factors it was not going to be possible.”

“From a commercial standpoint a part-season was not viable for me so I decided to forgo the offer. Obviously there are other options on the BTCC grid to compete a full season but I do not want to go down this route. I will be racing in 2008 just not in the BTCC. I’m not bitter towards Stephen one ounce, he’s a really nice guy and I wish him every success for the season.”

Neate is now working to finalise his race programme for 2008 outside of the BTCC.