We continue making progress in BTCC world. Right now, is Matt Neal who had the deference to answer our questions. We talked about this season, the future… Here is the result
First of all, what do you expect from this season?
Don’t know really, i have come in very open minded and under no illusions at strength of opposition, both outside and inside the team i’m driving for. I expect Fabrizio to have the edge if honest, but just want to try and do a solid job and be somewhere in the hunt come the end.
Your main rival this year will be your teammate, Fabrizio. How is your relationship with him? Is there a good atmosfere in the team?
Atmosphere is good. It’s not the same as Dynamics no, but everyone is friendly, and everyone definitely wants to win. Fabrizio and i are almost identical age, him being just 6 days older, both have had tough times aswell as good through our careers, both work away from racing also. So luckily despite language restrictions we are on a pretty similar wave length and do have some done good crack together.
You are 42, and you are still very competitive! How long do you expect to continue racing at the top? Is there any trick for that?
41 at the moment, in touring cars they are not the most physical race cars to drive so you can continue. Plus experience counts for a good deal more in tin tops more than single seaters, race craft being a primary example. But also the fact that what you’ve got is never perfect to drive unlike a formula car, you are always driving round something or another looking for the best compromise. How long can you stay, one stay on top of your fitness which i do more and more every year, two you need to stay hungry, if you lose the desire you best go home.
During these years, you have only raced in Touring Cars. Wouldn’t you have tried another things, like open wheelers?
Would have been great to try, one of my restrictions is my height which precludes me getting into a lot of stuff. The ones i’ve tried i thought were a piece of cake compared to touring cars. I have always enjoyed the combat side of touring car racing also, the me versus you syndrome, door to door, wheel to wheel stuff!
And the last one, when you leave the BTCC, what will you do? What is your next challenge? Maybe something in Raids?
Not thought to much, too busy. Have been approached by a few GT teams over the last few years, and would be a great to experience that. Whatever it is i just want to try and enjoy the ride and do the best job i can along the way.
Thank you and good luck for this season
Thanks mate, always need a bit of that on your side!
