NORTH-EAST TRACK A FAVOURITE FOR BTCC CHAMPION NEAL
Reigning Dunlop British Touring Car Champion Matt Neal says
the Croft circuit in North Yorkshire is at the top of his
list when it comes to driving challenges.
Neal and his BTCC rivals, including series leader Jason Plato,
are currently gearing up for their next rounds at the Darlington
track on Sunday 3 June – the only time this year that
Britain’s premier motor racing series will visit the
North-East.
And Neal, champion for the past two years, says Croft throws
up one of the biggest thrills of the season for the drivers
and the crowds who annually flock in their tens of thousands
to watch their BTCC heroes in action.
Neal, already a race-winner this year in his new Team Halfords
Honda Civic, told BTCC.net: “Croft is one of my favourite
circuits – I really like the place. It’s got a
taste of everything; fast stuff, slow stuff, kerbs and big
outbraking places. A driver needs a very well sorted car to
get results around there.
“The whole lap is challenging but if I was to pinpoint
one section that stands out it’s the Clark Esses and
the following corner, Barcroft. This is a big, big commitment
corner with the cars drifting at high speed as you start to
brake. It catches your attention every lap.
“The crowds, probably even more so than at Brands Hatch,
get really close to the circuit and can probably almost smell
the oil and rubber, particularly those on the banks at the
first corner. You certainly get the oohs and aahs at Croft.
“Above all, it’s just a great place. The North-East
crowds are full of lovely people. Croft is one circuit I’d
really miss if it wasn’t on the calendar.”
Neal currently lies fourth in the BTCC standings behind SEAT
star Plato and Vauxhall team-mates Fabrizio Giovanardi and
Tom Chilton.
The timetable includes ten races in total: the latest three
BTCC rounds plus another seven races from the supporting BMW,
Porsche, Renault and SEAT championships.
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