![Matt Neal, Halfords Yuasa Racing [Team Dynamics], Honda Civic Type-R FK8](https://www.touringcars.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BTCC_TX_200920_4007.jpg "Photo: PSP Images")
Matt Neal is in a bullish mood heading to Silverstone for this weekend’s British Touring Car Championship races, after the Honda driver secured a double podium last time out at Thruxton.
Neal followed home team-mate Dan Cammish in both of the first two races at Thruxton to give his own championship campaign a huge boost, with the rostrum visits being the first of the year for the 53-year-old.
Neal was pleased with the team’s results, but admitted to sensing a missed opportunity for a win, as the Honda drivers followed home the Toyota of Tom Ingram in both of the day’s first two races.
“A two – three for us, which is great for the manufacturer and teams points for Halfords Yuasa Racing, and also for drivers’ points – I needed a bunch of points,” said Neal of his podium finishes.
“I’m a little bit disappointed, a tinge of disappointment that one of us didn’t get a win, but it was all over at the start.
“If one of us could have just got a jump on Tom Ingram at the start, I reckon we could have really got under his skin and hassled him, but he just got that clear air and then it was hard work from then on.
“Dan gave him a good push and I hung on to third. I made a little bit of a mistake with my setup so I dropped back in the second half of [race one], but Dan kept the charge right until the end.”
Race three saw Neal beat Cammish and claim seventh, having lost one place to Ingram at the start of the race.
As a result of his best weekend of the year, Neal is in an optimistic mood heading to Silverstone for this weekend’s sixth meeting of the season.
“You are hanging on here wherever you are in the pack, so we are over the moon to have both cars on the podium in two races, and I’m of course delighted to continue my record here.
“It was a strong weekend on Yuasa’s 10th anniversary. The win eluded us but I’m feeling pretty bullish for Silverstone and looking forward to it.
“The engine’s working well, as are the aerodynamics, we just need a bit of luck and speed [for Silverstone].”