Matt Neal is looking forward to renewing his bid for a second straight Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship title at the Croft circuit on 16 July because, he says, the North Yorkshire track requires "balls".
Neal says the Darlington track presents several hair-raising challenges for drivers in Britain's premier motor racing series and its lay-out encourages ultra close racing among the cars.
Neal said: "Croft I really like. It's got a mixture of everything - slow and fast corners with a few good overtaking places. You can rattle your rivals into making mistakes.
"The Clark Esses and Barcroft - both are very fast corners and you've got have balls to hang on round there. I like a bit of that.
"Then there are the fans up there - they're passionate and really know their stuff. They always make it a great atmosphere. Croft's always one of my favourite circuits."
Last year Neal, who's always performed strongly at Croft but only won once there since the BTCC first arrived in 1997, was involved in several scrapes with fellow former champion Jason Plato as the title race reached its mid-way point.
Neal went on to win the title and after the opening 12 rounds he's leading the 2006 title chase as well, having won four times already in his Team Halfords Honda. But the current BTCC grid is one of the most competitive for years with Plato and SEAT team-mate James Thompson - both big local heroes for the Croft crowds - and Colin Turkington, in Team RAC's MG among potentially a dozen drivers trying to hunt him down.
"The cars in the BTCC are always grinding against one another, but Croft really does promote a bit of contact because there are some tight sections," added Neal.
"There are many competitive cars and drivers so it should be close. A fair few of those drivers are good enough to win but don't want to throw it away. It could get quite frantic."
Spectators at Croft will be able to meet the BTCC drivers during an open Pit Lane Walkabout session and there will be a further seven races from supporting championships put on by high-profile manufacturers BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT. Admission for children under 16 is FREE and only £20 for adults booking in advance on the circuit website croftcircuit.co.uk or via the ticket hotline 01325 721815.
