Matt Neal admits start crucial to Oulton Park chances

Matt Neal insisted that the start of race one will be crucial to his chances of success after snaring pole position for the fourth meeting of the BTCC season at Oulton Park.

Having topped the wet second practice session, Neal emerged as the man to beat in qualifying at the wheel of his Honda Civic, edging the BMW of Andrew Jordan out of top spot.

It marked the second successive meeting in which Neal has qualified on pole – a feat he last achieved back in 2011 – with the former champion surprising himself by taking spot at a circuit where he hadn’t expected Honda to be strong.

“I was being bullish in saying I thought we could qualify in the top four, but I expected it to be difficult,” he said. “It’s great to have had some ballast onboard and to qualify on pole but I left nothing on the table. I was hoping that Andrew wouldn’t go quicker so I wouldn’t have to go again and we just shadowed him after the red flag.

“In terms of the races, we know the BMW will be strong and the start could be an issue as both Andrew and Colin [Turkington] should be quick off the line and the rear wheel drive cars should look after their tyres better.

“It’s hard to pass around here so if I can manage to keep the lead off the start, then I’d like to think I can challenge for the win and fight to keep them at bay. If I drop behind them off the line, then it’ll be more difficult.”