The Honda Racing Team have confirmed both Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal will remain with the team in next year’s British Touring Car Championship.
The news follows on from the recent announcement that Honda are set to contest next season’s championship in an NGTC version of the new Honda Civic.
Honda UK’s managing director Dave Hodgetts commented: “Both Matt and Gordon have been fantastic ambassadors for Honda during this season and we are delighted to have them racing for us in 2012. They will be behind the wheel of a race-prepared version of the new Honda Civic and we believe that will give us outstanding opportunities to further add to Honda’s already-bulging trophy cabinet. We’ve still got a job to finish this year, though.”
Shedden, who is currently leading the driver’s championship by one point from team-mate Neal, believes that the long-term stability created by the team will be cruical to a successful championship challenge next year. 2012 will be the fifth season that the two drivers have been paired together at Team Dynamics and it will also be Neal’s 16th season with Team Dynamics.
“It gives strong sense of continuity and stability to the team and that’s a very real benefit over some of our rivals,” said Shedden of the announcement.
Just one point behind his team-mate, Neal is delighted to be continuing with the Honda team. “It’s so much more than just being on the track,” said Neal. “It’s about the passion and the desire for excellence that flows within the brand. Development work on the new car is well-advanced and we’re excited about its chances.”
The 2012 season will be Honda’s 12th as a full works team in the BTCC.