Matt Neal happy with “bragging rights” at halfway point
Series leader Matt Neal says he is happy to have the “bragging rights” of leading the BTCC at the halfway point – but knows just how far there is to go before he can celebrate.
The Honda Racing Team man extended his lead over Eurotech Racing’s Andrew Jordan from four points to 19, after a second, fourth and a win at Croft.
The win came in torrential conditions in the final race of the day, an encounter which required Neal to call on his considerable experience as he made his way to the front.
He survived two late scares at Tower and the Esses to bring his Honda Civic home ahead of the weekend’s top points-scorer, Colin Turkington, in the West Surrey Racing BMW 125i.
Speaking to TouringCarTimes, Neal said: “When I saw the chequered flag in that last one it was just 100 per cent relief. I thought the washing bill for my overalls was going to be horrific!
“The rain was coming a bit harder, the puddles were getting bigger and the aquaplaning was just getting worse and worse with every lap. Colin wasn’t letting up – he was pushing on behind me.
“Fortunately, he had a bit of a moment on the second to last lap, and that got me a wee bit of a gap. They came on the radio and said ‘take it easy and cruise it’ – and I was, I thought. I still had two almighty moments, so I am really relieved.”
Regarding his overall weekend, Neal said: “I came into Croft very open-minded. I didn’t know whether I was going to have a good weekend or a bad weekend. To come away with third on the grid, a second, a fourth and a first, I am absolutely stoked. I am really chuffed to bits.
“We came here the heaviest Honda, and the heaviest car. And you obviously have the boost regulations, and all the rest of it. It has been a scrap all weekend, so I am really pleased.”
Looking forward to the second half of the season, which continues at Snetterton after the summer break, Neal said he wouldn’t be taking anything for granted.
He said: “I always say, I’ll have points in the bag. It’s great to go into the break with the bragging rights of the lead. But I’m big enough and ugly enough to know we’re only halfway.
“The Bee-Emms are coming on strong and have had three cars consistently in the top 10 this weekend. Jason’s going to be lighter, the MGs are going to be coming back at us, as are Flash and Andy. So there is a long way to go, and a lot of tough racing.
“You could easily see four, five, even six drivers in the mix come the end of the season.”
