Giant Neal Admits: “I’m Scared of Heights”
Matt Neal, at 6ft 7in the tallest driver on the Dunlop MSA
British Touring Car Championship grid, has admitted: “I’m
scared of heights.”
Neal will be hoping to defend his BTCC points lead at the
hilliest track on the calendar – Knockhill in Scotland
– this Sunday 28 August.
It follows a week terrifying himself on rollercoaster rides
with his sons during a holiday in Florida, USA.
Neal said: “I might tower above everyone else, but
I’m scared of heights – Knockhill’s a rollercoaster
ride in itself but luckily it doesn’t have 200ft sheer
drops off the side like I experienced last week.
“Otherwise I’d be in all sorts of bother –
the rides in America had me properly scared.”
Neal fears his 16-point lead over Vauxhall’s Yvan Muller
could come crashing down at Knockhill.
As championship leader, his Team Halfords Honda Integra will
be handicapped by maximum success ballast and Knockhill is
also a circuit he doesn’t like.
He is hoping that team-mate Dan Eaves, third in the standings,
can get to the front and take points away from Muller.
Neal added: “I love the people of Scotland, but I don’t
like their track – I can’t get my head around
it.
“Last year it was my bogey track, but Dan was on fire
– I need him to have a good run again.
“The success ballast is going to kill my car’s
performance and I can see me not winning a race.
“The only consolation is that Yvan doesn’t like
the place much either. The weather looks like being a lottery
and I’d prefer it like that – I prefer the rain
and had my only win at Knockhill in the wet a few years ago.”
Neal also insists it is too early to think about winning
the BTCC title for the first time in his 15-year career in
the championship.
He said: “A lot of it comes down to luck. Anybody can
have a puncture or a mechanical break down or get involved
in someone else’s accident. There are so many variables.
“I always look on the realistic side and just want
to concentrate on getting as many points as I can. The championship
has eluded me for God knows how many years and it could do
again.”
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