Matt Neal : “That win was for Henry”

For the second season in a row, Matt Neal admitted it was an emotional feeling to secure victory in the opening race of the weekend at Thruxton.

The Honda driver started from pole position and was able to control proceedings from the front having held off the challenge of Colin Turkington at the start.

That allowed Neal to secure a first win for the FK8 version of the Civic Type-R, a day after he put the car onto pole position for the first time.

The victory came twelve months after Neal had moved level with Andy Rouse on 60 career wins at the Hampshire circuit, with extra reason to celebrate this time around coming from the fact that the multiple champion was able to dedicate the win to the journalist Henry Hope-Frost, who lost his life in a motorbike accident back in March.

The victory came just days after a special event at Goodwood to remember the 47-year-old, with Neal saying he had ‘felt the fever’ during the race.

“It’s very special to get the win – that was one is for Henry,” he said. “I certainly got the ‘fever’ when the lights went out and it’s great to have picked up the first win for the Type-R, particularly on the weekend when Yuasa celebrates its 100th anniversary.

“I’ll admit that I was convinced Colin would get the lead at the start but we got away well and I was able to keep the lead into the Complex and then I knew we had the pace in the quick stuff to break the tow. I was worried about the tyres but they held on amazingly and was able to keep it off the kerbs and make the most of our advantage round the faster parts of the circuit.

“To get another win at Thruxton is great as this is a circuit that we all enjoy. It’s really intimidating and a proper old school venue that hasn’t been spoiled by Health and Safety. Okay so people moan about Church but that is part of the challenge that Thruxton has; it’s a special pace.”