Neal closing on Honda deal

Super Tourer · 28 Dec 2002, 13:42 (Ref:458874)

According to Autosport mag, Matt Neal is closing on a works drive with Honda for the 2003 BTCC. He tested with the Arena run Honda team in Spain prior to Christmas, as part of the Dunlop tyre testing program. Also present at the test was Alan Morrison and Tom Chilton, the teenager having his 2nd run in the car.

Matt also has options with 888 if they can raise the finance to run additonal cars, but Honda obviously looks the most attractive route.

Could these three drivers be the final 2003 line-up?

ST

Sim_Da_BTCC_Man · 28 Dec 2002, 14:37 (Ref:458892)

Looks Likely. Good news!!!

**Craig** · 28 Dec 2002, 14:39 (Ref:458894)

Looks better for him than the TD/GA deal that had seemed likely.

SALEEN S7R · 28 Dec 2002, 14:52 (Ref:458902)

Lets hope he gets the seat! Honda are obviously a better choice than the tripple 8 team.

**Craig** · 28 Dec 2002, 15:28 (Ref:458918)

Are they? Why do you say that? Honda do look promising but, at the end of the day, Vauxhall have won every single race apart from a handful in the past two years. They have won drivers, constructors and team titles both years too...

Dudley · 28 Dec 2002, 15:29 (Ref:458919)

Yes, a team with 3 wins is clearly a better option than the team that won 20.

BootsOntheSide · 28 Dec 2002, 15:30 (Ref:458920)

If Team Dynamics and GA are running Vauxhalls in some kind of works basis, perhaps using the equipment and factory space of the Egg Sport operation, then that may be the best choice, as judging by last season Matt got equal equipment and support whilst with Egg. I don't think Honda will be stronger overall, though by the end of the season they might be.

**Craig** · 28 Dec 2002, 15:35 (Ref:458925)

As far as I am aware the two Astras that GA/TD are running are 100% independant from Triple Eight and will be run with their own personnel and from their own premises.

Reido Rules · 28 Dec 2002, 15:51 (Ref:458929)

The GA/TD astras are last years cars, and are run in their own stable. No real works involvement or funding. They're being run in the same way that the Barwell Astras were.

I hear Vauxhall are decreasing funding for 2003, so Honda might be a good bet with Chilton's wad being delivered in a hercules cargo plane. (don't jump on me chilton people as I know that I am exagerating)

neilap · 28 Dec 2002, 16:46 (Ref:458953)

With Andy gone Honda needs a driver like Matt to fill in. Allan did well but he did not have consistent last year.

It is usually better to join a works program. Honda may not have been extraordinary at the start of the season but by the end they were obviously on the pace. This in a car that raced for the first time at the start of the season. The car was nowhere near developed. Vauxhall's advantage over them was in handling especially brakes. We could have an upset in the making next year.

Super Tourer · 28 Dec 2002, 17:14 (Ref:458964)

Some points of interest.

I spoke with a friend of mine recently, who also happens to be an ex-BTCC driver, he went to the last Donington race - interestingly, he was very impressed with the Honda and IHO, it will be THE car to beat in 2003.

It's fair to say that Arena/Honda have achieved almost as much in one year, as MG did in 2 years, and the momentum from last season is with them.

The only question mark is really Honda's long term commitment to the BTCC. In a recent article Andy Prialux's reason for leaving Honda was their "Will they, won't they" approach for 2003, which led him to jump ship to something that was happening as opposed to something that was 'likely' to happen.

From Matt's point of view it's a great opportunity to land a true works seat, in what will be a championship contender, as opposed to returning to the ranks as an independent in a year old car.

However, it's not a done deal yet and 888 may find the cash to run the satellite team, then he will have a decision to make. No mention of Rydell in the equation, who looks to be in the frame for an Opel DTM seat - after testing for them prior to Christmas.

daz90 · 28 Dec 2002, 19:22 (Ref:459049)

good luck to matt neal in which ever team/car he decides to drive in, but i would say the astra is probably the safest bet.

speedy king · 28 Dec 2002, 20:37 (Ref:459094)

I went to donington this year and watched from Redgate corner/Hollywood and in the sprint race when Priaulx (honda) was attacking Thompson (vauxhall) the vauxhall always ran right up on to the rumble strip while the honda looked very clean and tidy and easy to control and was definately the fastest...

speedy king · 28 Dec 2002, 20:40 (Ref:459095)

Quote:

Originally posted by Super Tourer
Some points of interest.

I spoke with a friend of mine recently, who also happens to be an ex-BTCC driver, he went to the last Donington race - interestingly, he was very impressed with the Honda and IHO, it will be THE car to beat in 2003.

It's fair to say that Arena/Honda have achieved almost as much in one year, as MG did in 2 years, and the momentum from last season is with them.

The only question mark is really Honda's long term commitment to the BTCC. In a recent article Andy Prialux's reason for leaving Honda was their "Will they, won't they" approach for 2003, which led him to jump ship to something that was happening as opposed to something that was 'likely' to happen.

From Matt's point of view it's a great opportunity to land a true works seat, in what will be a championship contender, as opposed to returning to the ranks as an independent in a year old car.

However, it's not a done deal yet and 888 may find the cash to run the satellite team, then he will have a decision to make. No mention of Rydell in the equation, who looks to be in the frame for an Opel DTM seat - after testing for them prior to Christmas.

The problem is though that Honda will probably pay Neal a lot more than a satelite Vauxhall team would

Turkington Fan · 28 Dec 2002, 21:33 (Ref:459119)

But I thought Autosport wasn't out again until Jan 2nd?

speedchick · 28 Dec 2002, 22:25 (Ref:459165)

Rydell should take over from Andy! Then that will be THE team to beat.

SPARK XracingUK · 28 Dec 2002, 22:37 (Ref:459194)

Quote:

Originally posted by Turkington Fan
But I thought Autosport wasn't out again until Jan 2nd?

Yea, i thought it was out in the new yr, i'll go down to WHSmiths tomorrow and have a look, but the autosport web site doesnt seem to be advertising this weeks mag

**Craig** · 28 Dec 2002, 22:49 (Ref:459215)

Well I have my copy on my desk right here...

Speeddemon555 · 28 Dec 2002, 23:02 (Ref:459227)

So where will Paul O'Neill drive for next year??

Peter S · 29 Dec 2002, 02:11 (Ref:459316)

The new edition of autosport is out today - saturday (it is dated january 2nd) because new years day is on wednesday so they will be closed.

**touringlegend** · 29 Dec 2002, 14:43 (Ref:459541)

Hope it get's to me before the New year...

IMO I thought the Astra was becoming a little unreliable towards the end of the year, even throughout the year all the drivers were hit with some sort of problems.

Matt would obviously be a much cheaper option than others, and probably just as good.

rick vaux · 31 Dec 2002, 15:20 (Ref:461005)

If that is the case, 50 squid on Matty to win the championship....i`m off down the bookies ..

Hobson · 31 Dec 2002, 16:25 (Ref:461054)

Don't forget that Matt tried to pit in the Honda bay at Oulton - he must really want to drive them!

rick vaux · 31 Dec 2002, 16:42 (Ref:461064)

LOL Sod that drive thru

Radisich Fan · 5 Jan 2003, 18:50 (Ref:464655)

If this is the case, and Honda come up with the goods, Matt could will his first championship!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Neal gets Honda seat	Super Tourer	Touring Car Racing	34	1 Feb 2003 19:02
Chilton close to works Honda deal	Reido Rules	Touring Car Racing	22	27 Oct 2002 22:20
Jurgen has a deal with Honda!	Rossifumi	Bike Racing	2	26 Aug 2000 12:51
Jordan secure works Honda deal	Minardi fan	Formula One	15	30 Jun 2000 21:33