Matt Neal closing in on BTCC leaders

The three-time champion continued his recent run of fine form, with his third podium finish in five races.

The event at Oulton Park in Cheshire, again proved the title credentials of his Honda Civic Type R as he kept the pressure on the Championship pacesetters. Stourbridge-based Neal qualified in fifth place for the weekend’s races, carrying ballast of 33kg.

He went on to navigate the notoriously tricky course to cement a fifth place finish in the first of three races. In the second, Neal continued to defy his handicap. After going into the fifth lap in third place, he made a late move to claim second place. His third, and the team’s fourth podium finish of the burgeoning 2018 season.

Starting in sixth position for the final race of the weekend, Neal rallied initially as he looked to defy the odds but couldn’t sustain his challenge, finishing a disappointing 14th. Despite that Neal remains firmly in contention for the overall driver’s title.

Neal said: “Not a bad weekend for us. Maybe no cigar this time. We weren’t too sure how we were going to go. I think it was promising with the car and I was just unlucky in the last race, otherwise I think we could have had three fairly solid top six finishes. We would have been right up there in the championship.”

He was at pains to emphasise how important the start of the weekend will be, if he is to further close the gap on the leaders: “Where you qualify really dictates your weekend and your fortunes. Being lighter will help us in qualifying because it is so close. There’s a long way to go yet – we’re not even half way.”

The weekend’s results leaves Neal in sixth place in the driver’s standings.14 points behind third place and 26 behind current leader Colin Turkington.

With six races to go, Neal and his Halfords Yuassa team next travel to Croft on June 23-24.