BTCC CHAMP NEAL LOOKING FORWARD TO "BALLSY"
CROFT
Matt Neal is looking forward to renewing his bid for a second
straight Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship title
at the Croft circuit on 16 July because, he says, the North
Yorkshire track requires "balls".
Neal says the Darlington track presents several hair-raising
challenges for drivers in Britain's premier motor racing series
and its lay-out encourages ultra close racing among the cars.
Neal said: "Croft I really like. It's got a mixture
of everything - slow and fast corners with a few good overtaking
places. You can rattle your rivals into making mistakes.
"The Clark Esses and Barcroft - both are very fast corners
and you've got have balls to hang on round there. I like a
bit of that.
"Then there are the fans up there - they're passionate
and really know their stuff. They always make it a great atmosphere.
Croft's always one of my favourite circuits."
Last year Neal, who's always performed strongly at Croft
but only won once there since the BTCC first arrived in 1997,
was involved in several scrapes with fellow former champion
Jason Plato as the title race reached its mid-way point.
Neal went on to win the title and after the opening 12 rounds
he's leading the 2006 title chase as well, having won four
times already in his Team Halfords Honda. But the current
BTCC grid is one of the most competitive for years with Plato
and SEAT team-mate James Thompson - both big local heroes
for the Croft crowds - and Colin Turkington, in Team RAC's
MG among potentially a dozen drivers trying to hunt him down.
"The cars in the BTCC are always grinding against one
another, but Croft really does promote a bit of contact because
there are some tight sections," added Neal.
"There are many competitive cars and drivers so it should
be close. A fair few of those drivers are good enough to win
but don't want to throw it away. It could get quite frantic."
Spectators at Croft will be able to meet the BTCC drivers
during an open Pit Lane Walkabout session and there will be
a further seven races from supporting championships put on
by high-profile manufacturers BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT.
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