Photo: VX Racing

Vauxhall ready for Snetterton

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As the BTCC returns from its summer lay-off, Vauxhall’s Matt Neal has predicted as close battle as the series heads to Snetterton next week. “There’s always plenty of close, rough racing at this track but we’ll just have to roll our sleeves up and get in the thick of it”, said the double BTCC champion, who is currently the lead VX Racing driver in the standings.

Neal currently trails Colin Turkington by 25 points, but is confident that a reduction in ballast will see his Vectra close to the front at the Norfolk track

“We’ll have nine kilos less success ballast as we’re not leading the championship and that will make a small difference, but at Snetterton I think all the major players – BMWs, Hondas, Chevys and ourselves will be in the frame so it could be anyone’s game. I didn’t have a good test here recently but it was better at Rockingham, so I’m feeling quite buoyant.”

Unlike the thousands of spectators who will flock to Snetterton, Neal’s Vauxhall teammate Fabrizio Giovanardi is hoping for bad weather, which should suit the Vectra.

“I would definitely prefer it to be raining at Snetterton as we know we are quick in the wet. Typical English weather, that’s what I would like for the next race weekend. Although I was top of the time sheets in testing I still wasn’t happy. We had hoped to do hot weather testing but the rain ruined those plans.”

The Italian lies just four points behind Neal and is confident that he could still achieve a hattrick of BTCC titles, something that only three other drivers have done.

“I’m sure I can win the championship again, there’s no discussion on that. I’m only racing to win, not to come second or third, so I’ll just need to be quicker than everyone else!”

The third of the Vauxhalls, in the hands of Andrew Jordan, is out of the championship battle, but the young West Midlander is aiming for victories, after becoming the youngest pole sitter in BTCC history earlier this season. Like Giovanardi, Jordan too is hoping for bad weather.

“The test at Snetterton went really well for us, I think if the conditions are the same as they were at the test, cold and wet, then we are in with a good shot. I’m certainly looking to be on the front row in qualifying, especially as I have no success ballast. A lot of drivers don’t usually enjoy Snetterton, but I quite enjoy driving it and I’ve always gone well there so I’m really looking forward to the race weekend.”