Matt Neal Seals historic BTCC win in Honda Civic
Honda Civic driver Matt Neal recently ensured his name will go down in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) history books.
The Honda Yuasa Racing Team ace secured victory at the second Dunlop MSA BTCC race at Brands Hatch to become the first winner in one of the series' newer Next Generation Touring Car-spec machines.
Neal's victory was hard fought after the driver was forced to hold off the challenge of long-time rival Jason Plato.
Plato led the race at on stage by 2/1,000ths of a second but Neal ultimately edged back in front to secure the win.
Honda has cause for double celebration after Andrew Jordan, in the NGTC Pirtek, also passed Plato with some courageous last-minute manoeuvres resulting in a one-two result for Honda.
"I'm really relieved to get to the end and see the flag because that MG was really fast. I'd even told the team on the radio half way through the race I didn't think I could hang on but you keep fighting to the end," Neal said after the win.
Plato was disappointed not to have held on for the win, but said he is happy with the pace of his car.
"Mid-race the car felt great but then I fell off a bit of a cliff with how I was using the tyres � I'd say the rest of the paddock is really super-worried about how quick we are out of the blocks," he added.
As a result of the of Neal's win Plato's lead at the top of the BTCC driver's standings has been cut to just four points.
Plato tops the pile at present with 52 points but has both Honda Civic drivers breathing down his neck.
Neal is in second place with 48 points and Jordan is just three points further back in third place.
Robert Collard and Rob Austin round out the top five in what is shaping up to be a hotly-contested BTCC season.
Posted by Craig Salter