Matt Neal wants to leave Croft with another set of strong results so that he can head into the British Touring Car Championship’s summer break in a position to plan a title push in the second half of the year.
Neal is currently sixth overall in the drivers’ championship standings after claiming another podium and three points finishes at Oulton Park, which he says means his chin is up heading to Croft.
The Honda driver already claimed a victory in the new Honda Civic Type R FK8 at Thruxton, and he believes that the team are getting better with each race as they continue to develop the new-for-2018 chassis.
“The championship is so close at the moment and we are right in the hunt, which is really exciting given we are achieving this with a brand-new car,” said Neal.
“Importantly, we are learning what doesn’t work, as well as what does work, and we are gathering more and more information each time we race.
“There is no magic wand but to have a win, five podiums and a pole position as a team after only four rounds is fantastic, so my chin is up heading to Croft.”
Neal has won at Croft six times before, but the three-time champion has not stood on the top step since 2013 amid a dominant run for BMW machinery in the past five years in North Yorkshire.
“This is a technical circuit that has always demanded a good all-round package, which is why Honda has been so strong in the past and I have no doubt the Civic Type R will also excel.
“It’ll be great to score another strong result ahead of the summer break so we can rest, refocus and plot our title push when racing resumes.”