Matt Neal: “I’m going for victory”

Current championship leader Matt Neal is aiming for victory as the British Touring Car Championship heads on to the races at Oulton Park.
“The aim for the weekend is to qualify well and focus on three strong scores in the races. I’m definitely aiming for victory,” said Neal.

“But I’d say there are at least ten cars who could win this weekend and so it is going to be tough.”

Neal predicts BMW and his own team mate Fabrizio Giovanardi to be the strongest competitors this weekend.

“The track will suit the BMW’s with its long straights and up hill drags, and you can never discount Fabrizio as he is really fired up at the moment,” said Neal.

Giovanardi is third in the championship behind Neal. But the Italian feels that he not got far up to his team mate.

“I’m third in the drivers’ standings, which isn’t where I want to be, but it’s a close battle and it wouldn’t take much to be rivalling Matt on points,” said Giovanardi.

Giovanardi lost five points to Neal during the last race weekend and wants to start off with a good qualifying this weekend to be back in the hunt.

“I need to be taking pole again and starting from the front with it, then there’s a good chance we can stay in the hunt,” said Giovanardi.

Third Vauxhall driver Andrew Jordan also wants a piece of the action.

“I have good memories of Oulton Park from last season where I scored my first ever podium in the BTCC. It’s a fast flowing track and I’m not carrying any weight like Matt and Fabrizio, so with a bit of luck on our side I think we can have a good weekend. I’m looking for pole again this weekend,” said Jordan.