Four Wheel Racing News speaks to Matt Neal

Four Wheel Racing News managed to grab a few minutes of triple champion Matt Neal's time. We caught up with the BTCC front runner in between his flat out work schedule.

Here is what Matt had to say:

Well, we should probably start at the beginning. What's your racing background, and how did it all start?

All I ever wanted to do from around the age of 4 was be a racing driver, I never thought I would but you have to dream for something in life. Then when it started to happen it was take it one step at a time and enjoy each bit never really focusing on an ultimate goal, so when I got to drive at 17 I had a friend who raced motocross I saved up bought an old bike and trailer threw it on the back of my car and went off racing loving every minute. Unfortunately on bikes I got to a level where my talent couldn't keep up with the opposition and I started having some big accidents trying to keep up. So by age of 21 I'd been in and out of hospital with numerous broken bones so my Dad got me into a car just to get me away from the bikes, not necessarily to race just to track because he knew my heart was 4 wheels, but then one thing led to another and the story started.

Photo by Michael Barrett

Was there anyone in particular that inspired you, do you have a hero in racing? 

Mainly I have to say my Dad he’s very passionate about the sport and doesn't like failure whether in business or sport so he dictates a strong work ethic and expects others to follow.

In racing Nigel Mansell was a bit of a hero as was Steve Soper in touring cars, pure coincidence that they both started as brummies but they were both ultimate hard racers.

You won your first BTCC race in 1999, can you tell us about it?  

People forget how down trodden private teams and drivers where then and the current crop just have no idea with the way they equalise everything now by giving private teams more power than the factory cars. We were not allowed the same kit, cars, engines and most importantly of all tyres which could be 2 seconds a lap slower, so all through my career in the 90’s we were always fighting a war we could never win and that is why everyone used to make such a song and dance if we got a half decent result.

I raced in a semi works Nissan at Bathurst at the end of 98 in not the latest but pretty up to date kit but with factory tyres and it was like ‘this is amazing’ we finished second to Rydell in the works Volvo by just fractions of a second after 1000km’s and 7 hours racing. Then at beginning of 99 they changed the rules in BTCC which gave privateers access to same tyres as the works cars, so the race we won was the first BTCC meeting I’d ever been allowed to run with the same tyres as the factory cars that made the difference!

Photo by Michael Barrett

In 2008, you moved to Vauxhall was this a hard decision to move away from the family run team? 

I’d raced for Vauxhall and 888 in 2002 so I knew them already they offered me a very good deal and the prospect of going to race with Giovanardi in his own team really attracted me. Dynamics long term sponsor Halfords was looking pretty shaky so had the prospect that we might have to have two drivers with backing in the car made it more justifiable, that said it was still very emotional and I did shed a tear when the time came.

Sum up your 2012.

As a team it was mission accomplished and the guys at Dynamics and Neil Brown gave us some awesome cars, if we had ever been let off the leash and allowed to race full on we could have been even faster. But winning all the titles, drivers, teams, manufacturers and even independent drivers and teams with Andy Jordan and Pirtek in one of our Civics’ just rounded the whole thing off. As a driver I didn't win and got beaten by my team mate, I didn't help myself breaking my hand in a motorbike accident 2/3 of way through season I believe you have to accept that everything doesn't have to go your way every time but the next best thing happened which was my mate won it and seeing the joy and emotions for him was fabulous to see.

Another year with the Honda squad and your team-mate Shedden won the title, and as we know you're close friends. Describe how you felt?

I have been team mates with Flash longer than any other I've had in my career and I regard him as a great friend with similar ideals and work ethics as much as a team mate / work colleague. Of course I wanted to win and tried my best to do so but I actually found it easier to take than when I won the title the year before in 2011 because I felt his pain of coming so close behind me. I don’t know whether it’s an age thing where giving becomes more pleasurable than receiving or because of my position and relationship with Dynamics but we won anyway, at end of the day he drove like a star and deserved the title whatever I thought.

What is your opinion on NGTC?

Initially I was not so sure but I'm coming round to it, I don’t agree to the extent of giving some drivers so much of a leg up for doing crap or just doing a poor job. But the cars after initially being a bit of a handful to start with are proper great pieces of kit now and great fun to drive and race.

The winter months are long for any racer, how do you keep yourself busy?

It never stops I always look forward to the end of the season as it becomes a bit of a pressure pot at season end but I never stop and am just flat out, I’m still daily involved in the running of the team as well as my roll at Rimstock the wheel company. I train all year round so that doesn't change except last year as I was still suffering with my hand injury.

What is your career highlight so far?

Winning my first race in 1999 live on TV, people were stopping me in shops for ages after and 14 years down the road people still come up to me now and say I saw that race!

Photo by Bryant Photography

Many people consider there is a huge rivalry between yourself and Plato, but how would you describe it? 

Yes……  I think Jason just doesn't like losing and targets whoever threatens him. I think I take it more personally than he does, but it does inevitably boil over at least once a year. I keep saying to Flash I don’t want to fall out with him anymore it’s your turn now! So there is the competition side but on another side we are probably quite similar, I might do something for fun as a bit of a comedy dig and he does same back to me, unfortunately they sometimes get taken the wrong way whichever way the water is flowing and off we go again so I'm sure the story will continue. 

What's the biggest thing you've learnt in your career that can help for the 2013 season?

Every pathway has its puddles, so what I'm saying not every race or weekend is going to go your way, you've got to learn to roll with the punches and be prepared for the knocks, pick yourself up and get on with the next race with a clear focused head. Hard work is crucial but luck and fate always have a part to play, as long as you do the best job you can, face the world with a smile, keep your passion and focus, you can then look back and be proud of what you achieved.

What are your overall goals for 2013 and beyond? ..would you consider racing in the new HSCC Super Touring Revival series?

Sure I love racing you never know what’s around the corner, I never thought I’d have raced as long as I have or achieved the results I've managed to, so on that note never say never.

We'd like to thank Matt for taking the time out of his busy schedule, we'd like to wish him and the whole Honda team all the best for the coming season.