Three-time British Touring Car Champion Matt Neal expects the new-for-2018 Honda Civic Type R FK8 run by his Team Dynamics outfit to ‘stretch its legs’ at longer circuits after a mixed debut at Brands Hatch.
A strong qualifying showing underlined the cars potential, with team-mate Dan Cammish unlucky to have his pole position time – one that was never headed by eventual pole-sitter Jack Goff – wiped out for failing to stop mid-session for scruitineering checks.
Raceday held less reward, however, with Cammish’s eighth place finish in the opening race the best either car managed across the triple-header on the 1.2 mile Indy circuit.
Regardless, Neal believes the new machine will truly come into its own on longer tracks, with the FK8’s aerodynamic performance and lack of drag a key factor.
“We still have some work to do in wet trim, but it’s a new car so that’s only to be expected and one of the biggest positives about the FK8 is its aerodynamics and lack of drag; when we get to the longer circuits where it can stretch its legs a bit, that should really pay dividends,” explained Neal.
“It’s extremely early days and there’s plenty more to come. Better yet, we are going to be light at Donington, so hopefully we can fight back on home turf.”
Neal suffered a weekend to forget with a retirement in the opening race and a tough drive to 29th in race two, but made solid progress in the finale to net his first points of the 2018 campaign.
“My weekend obviously unravelled in race one,” he added.
“I tried to do something a little off-piste in race two but it was a struggle, which was compounded by getting knocked around a bit for good measure.
“We at least made up 17 places in race three, which demonstrated the potential of the new Civic Type R, and there are a lot of reasons for optimism moving forward.
“The car seems to be quick in the dry, the engine is working well and Dan is clearly very fast – for us to both be inside the top six in qualifying with a car that has far from achieved its full potential yet is very encouraging.”