Honda drivers expect tough fight from MG, Ford & BMW

Matt Neal says he’s out to wrestle back the British Touring Car Championship title from his Honda Racing team-mate Gordon Shedden in 2013 – but it won’t just be the Scotsman providing the opposition.

Triple champion Neal is anticipating strong challenges from the Triple Eight MG, West Surrey Racing and Motorbase Performance outfits, as well as his team-mate Shedden, who took his maiden BTCC crown at Brands Hatch in October.

Both men agree the championship battle will be a close fight between a number of teams – but are also expecting the regulations to throw then a few more curveballs.

One of the most controversial issues of 2012 was the restrictions to the turbo boost levels of the Honda Civic machines, leaving them struggling for straight-line speed at a number of circuits.

Both drivers spoke to TouringCarTimes at the Autosport International Show.

Neal said: “The aim is to be as competitive as we can as a team. It is great we have got continuity with the car, the team and the drivers.

“But everyone is going to have caught up a little bit. That’s not just MG, it’s Motorbase too, and the West Surrey Bee-Ems could be real dark horses.”

On his team-mate’s title, Neal added: “I’ve told him he’s got to give it back this year! But there are a lot of people who are going to be fighting for it; I think we should be in there somewhere at the end.”

Shedden said: “I can’t wait to get going now; it feels so long since I last drove the car. It’s the first time I’ve seen it since Brands Hatch – it doesn’t look like it’s spent much time in the workshop! I think it has been on tour for the last few months.

“We were nip and tuck all of last year and I’m sure it will be the same this year. It is always the usual suspects. The Fords have had another six months to work on it, the MG will be there or thereabouts, West Surrey’s little BMW looks good. But then there is everyone else – they will be coming at us from all angles!”

Shedden said he was still getting used to his title win, but would be doing his best to defend it.
He said: “It is amazing – when I got up on the stage and was introduced as British Touring Car champion, it still sounds good.

“That [winning] is what it is all about. That is what we go racing for. We will have to improve. The package is very good. We need to get a bit more out of it but I’m sure we will be in the mix.”

Both drivers said they were expecting another battle with the rule-makers in 2013, with Neal saying the politics are different to the Super Touring era.

He said: “I still think the regulations are going to be our biggest challenge. I’m looking forward to getting back in the car and racing and the competition, but I don’t look forward to the politics.

“Back [in Super Touring] if you were fastest, you were fastest. Now, it’s not quite so simple. They just give you more horsepower for being slow.

“It is done for the show. They want the TV figures and they want the crowds at the circuits, which I can see, but I don’t agree with the level it is done to.

“I’ve learnt as I’ve got older, just concentrate on your own thing, and try and make your car the best you can, and don’t worry about everyone else. Do the best you can, and fate will take care of the rest.”
Shedden added: “I think it will still be difficult but

I believe the amount the boost will vary will be a lot less, which should stop the scenario where times are coming from straight-line performance.

“I think it is good they have taken out the S2000 cars because that was stupid at times last year. On their weight, they could be 150kg lighter and have 50bhp more.”