Ex-champ Neal explains Thruxton move

Double champion Matt Neal did nothing to help Jason Plato’s bid for the BTCC title. In fact, the Team Halfords Honda driver waved eventual 2007 champion Fabrizio Giovanardi through in the final race at Thruxton, and then got embroiled in a time-consuming scrap with the SEAT star.

The explanation for Neal’s on-track antics came later in the day, when it was confirmed that he would be joining Vauxhall next season. “I need a new challenge,” explained Neal, who lifted the BTCC crown in 2005 and 2006 when driving for his family-run Team Dynamics outfit.