CHAMPION NEAL: "I'VE GOT A TARGET ON MY CAR"
Reigning Champion Matt Neal has admitted to feeling nervous
about his chances in this Sunday's (9 April) opening Dunlop
MSA British Touring Car Championship rounds at Brands Hatch,
Kent.
The 39-year-old from Droitwich is aiming to become the first
driver for almost 20 years to win back-to-back BTCC titles
after emotionally lifting British motor sport's most coveted
crown for his father Steve Neal's Team Halfords squad in 2005.
Last week his Honda Integra was fastest in testing at Brands
Hatch, but Neal, who has been racing in the BTCC since 1991,
is urging caution among those who think he's set for another
title-winning season.
Neal says: "You'd think with all the years I've been
doing this I'd be as cool as a cucumber, but I still get the
nerves just thinking about it. Not because of the occasion,
but because I still want to do well and be a contender.
"I don't find it different just because I'm the reigning
Champion. In fact, being Champion means I've effectively painted
a target on my car. Everyone wants to beat the Champion and
if someone sees number 1 on your car then you're the biggest
scalp out there to be claimed.
"It was nice to come out on top in the test last week,
but it could be that everyone else is holding back. We've
got a little bit in reserve just in case, but who knows how
much the others have got?"
Neal, though, is confident he is among the favourites to
win at Brands Hatch on Sunday and he believes the circuit
will be a good indicator of what the rest of the season might
hold. He also says the world-famous Kent venue is one of the
best for generating excitement on and off the track.
He adds: "The circuit should suit us. It's a circuit
where I've always gone well and we've got the Honda working
well around there. If we're going to be strong anywhere, it's
at Brands Hatch.
"I'm also one for a bit of superstition and our team
is now working out of the same workshop in Pershore as Chris
Hodgetts and the Toyota team did when they were the last people
to defend the title in 1987 - now that's a good omen.
"But I think SEAT and Vauxhall will be really strong,
SEAT in particular with the new Leon model and two very experienced
drivers in James Thompson and Jason Plato. If those two beat
me at Brands then it's an indication of what to expect for
the rest of the season. Trouble, in other words..."
"The racing is going to be bloody close all year - real
nip and tuck stuff and probably even more so at Brands Hatch
because of the sort of place it is," warns Neal. "The
fact the circuit is set in an ampitheatre means there is a
very exciting atmosphere out on the spectator banks. The fans
don't miss a second of what's kicking off around the track.
"Also, unlike some of the circuits, Brands has been
able to retain its originality and the crowds are close. They
can smell the action."
Crowds at Brands Hatch on 9 April will get to see the BTCC
in race action three times, plus another eight supporting
races from high-profile championships put on by top car manufacturers
BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT. The pit lane will also be
opened free of charge to spectators and families to meet the
BTCC drivers and grab give-aways during a special autograph
session.
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