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Race report

Thruxton BTCC: Neal converts pole into 60th career win

Matt Neal moved to joint second in the list of all-time BTCC winners by taking his 60th career victory at Thruxton in the opening race of the weekend.

Matt Neal, Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type R

Matt Neal, Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type R

JEP / Motorsport Images

Team Dynamics Honda driver Neal, who started from his first pole position for five years, powered clear of his teammate Gordon Shedden, who was carrying the maximum 75kg of success ballast into the meeting, to control the gap to his rival throughout the race.

Shedden had levelled with the sister car going into the Complex on the opening lap, but Neal held his position.

The victory puts Neal equal with four-time champion Andy Rouse in the overall race winners table. Jason Plato heads the way with 95 triumphs.

Neal said: “I hadn’t thought about it being 60. We thought Andy’s figure was unachievable and then Jason did it and now us. It is unreal.

“The car is suited to the circuit – it always has been –  but that means we set ourselves up to be shot down. But to bring the car home first is a great feeling, particularly with Gordon behind me.

"The car was good all the way through, but it means I have full ballast for race two so we are going to have to rethink things.”

Shedden added that he was pleased with his points tally. The Scotsman said: “I had a better start and we were level going in to Turn Two, but he had a lighter car and I knew he would be quicker, so I didn’t do anything silly. I am chuffed we have a 1-2 for Honda though.”

Behind the two factory-blessed Hondas, the Eurotech Racing Civic of Jack Goff took third place. He was forced into a rear-guard action over the closing stages after having been delayed by an errant backmarker in front of him.

Championship leader Tom Ingram (Speedworks Toyota) was in Goff’s mirrors over the last two laps but was only just unable to make a challenge on the last lap.

The Ciceley Racing Mercedes driver Adam Morgan fought ahead of fifth placed qualifier Rob Austin on lap five as the Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis struggled for grip.

Ash Sutton (Team BMR Subaru) also passed the ailing Toyota, which eventually fell to ninth, on the sixth  lap.

Colin Turkington was the leading WSR BMW, climbing from 10th on the grid to seventh with a superbly optimistic passing move on the battling Austin and Mat Jackson (Motorbase Performance Ford Focus) in lap eight.

Rounding out the top 10 was Rob Collard (WSR BMW), who had started in 18th position.

Matt James

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