Matt Neal has today (17 January) confirmed that he will be contesting the 2020 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, alongside Halfords Yuasa Racing team-mate Dan Cammish.
In what will be his record-breaking 30th campaign in the series, Neal holds the accolade for most seasons of any driver in the history of the championship.
“I can’t believe it’s my 30th year!” said 53-year-old said. “It seems like only yesterday that I was competing in my first championship race and winning my first race. There have been a lot of ups and downs over the years, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. The championship continues to grow in stature, both in the UK and on a world platform and I take my hat off to Alan Gow (Series Chief Executive) for making that happen. The evolving regulations and the adoption of new technologies, like hybrid, fill me with excitement for what is coming downstream.
“Personally, I look back on my years in the BTCC and reflect a little on what could have been —several years I’ve missed out on the title by only a few points, but that’s racing for you!
“Overall, I look back with a wry grin on my face and feel honoured to have raced against some of the best drivers in the world, there are just too many to mention, but we have been graced with some amazing names and personalities over the years and I have gone head-to-head with them all.
“I go into 2020 as hungry as ever to win my fourth BTCC title and take it to Colin (Turkington), and of course my own team-mate Dan, who continues to impress me with his driving aptitude. We work well as a team and I’d hope that I have played an influential part during his BTCC career in developing him to be the driver he is today. Dan is undeniably quick and the old adage in motorsport is that you always have to beat your team-mate first. So that will be the challenge this season.
“The Honda FK8 Type R is now a pretty potent package in its third season and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel testing again next month. With Honda, Halfords and Yuasa all partnering us again for another season, as well as all our other supporting sponsors, we have the ingredients in place for an exciting year ahead. But will it be my last? We’ll have to wait and see!”
Honda UK Managing Director David Hodgetts is similarly enthusiastic for the forthcoming campaign, as the Japanese manufacturer seeks to build upon its glittering record in the series over the last decade.
“Matt continues to be a fantastic ambassador for Honda and our company philosophy where innovation, teamwork and a ‘challenging spirit’ remain at the heart of our business,” said Hodgetts. “We have developed a great relationship with Matt during ten consecutive seasons together in the BTCC and I very much look forward to more success for the Civic Type-R in 2020."
