The final countdown to the final showdown has begun. The Brands Hatch circuit in Kent will decide who wins Britain’s biggest motor racing title – the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship – on Sunday 2 October. Matt Neal, who has never won the title, will go into the meeting 30 points ahead of the only driver who can stop him, 2003 champion Yvan Muller. The outcome to their nail-biting title fight will be shown live by Britain’s biggest commercial terrestrial television channel ITV1.
Neal, in his Team Halfords Honda Integra, has just endured the worst weekend of his season so far, at Silverstone, but still came away with his substantial lead over Muller intact. Muller was on course to make significant gains on Neal in the second of Silverstone’s three races until his Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch hit mechanical problems.
It was Muller’s second mechanical retirement in three races and shows just how quickly fortunes can change in the BTCC. Neal is taking nothing for granted, even though he can surely sense that the title, after 14 years of trying, is now tantalisingly close. He believes he will be crowned champion around Brands’ full-length Grand Prix circuit.
Neal, aged 38, says: "I’m not going to get arrogant or complacent because I didn’t finish any of the races in last year’s final round. But I think the Honda will really suit the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, even with the maximum success ballast I’ll have to carry as championship leader. Certainly, it’s not me who’s going to be losing sleep.
"My plan is to qualify on pole position for race one and make sure of the title with a win."
But Muller, who must finish all three Brands races ahead of Neal to stand any chance of winning a second BTCC title, refuses to give up. The BTCC is ultra-competitive – at Silverstone, Neal’s team-mate Gareth Howell became the ninth different winner this season – and Muller will be hoping that he doesn’t just win races but some of his rivals can also take points off Neal.
Muller says: "If Matt does not take many risks at Brands and he scores strong points, then he is champion. Simple as that. But mathematically it is still possible, so I will try everything I can as always. I think the Vauxhall will be strong at Brands Hatch and there is a chance for me to maybe take a couple of wins.
"The spectators should get some great views of the action as well, particularly at the first corner, Paddock Hill Bend, where a lot of things happen in the BTCC."
Spectators travelling to Brands Hatch to watch the BTCC’s title decider can still book discount race day tickets in advance priced just £19 via the circuit’s hotline 0870 950 9000 or online at motorsportvision.co.uk. The BTCC will be in action three times on 2 October with another eight support races from high-profile motor manufacturers BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT. That’s 11 races in total. Children aged 12 and under get in FREE, making the event a fantastic family day out.
