Matt Neal is the two-time British Touring Car Champion. The first back-to-back champion since Chris Hodgetts in 1986.  Matt has been the "people's champion" since 1999, when he became the first independent driver to win a race outright. Matt races for Team Halfords, of which Garmin is a proud sponsor.

How do you think the race went?
I came away from Thruxton with a real bounce in my step. We took a big leap forward with progress and development of our very new Honda Civic Type R's. Flash and I had a strong second place finish each - not too much damage which is always a bonus. So a real positive weekend for the whole team. Sure we want wins, but we have to look at the level of opposition and the bigger picture.

Who do you see as your main challengers this year?
The main challengers this year have to be the SEAT and Vauxhall factory teams. They both have very quick packages and aggressive number ones with Jason Plato and Fabrizio Giovanardi. Saying that, it’s tough anywhere in the top ten, the RAC BMW's and a whole host of other private teams can push for wins any time out. 

Is it going to be a close fight between you and Plato?
Being realistic, I think it's going to be tough to fight him for the title now. I see a big dust-up looming on the horizon between him and Giovanardi because they are close in the points and both hard men, so as the pressure mounts as the season progresses some sparks should start to fly. For us it's about taking the programme forward and winning a whole bunch of races in the second half!

Do you think the new car can be a championship contender this year or will it take more testing?
In BTCC we are restricted on testing, so that immediately hands an advantage to the teams who also have cars running in the world championship where testing is unrestricted because they can pass on information and developed parts back. The only other team like ourselves who are running a new car just in the UK is Vauxhall, and they got their stall set out very early on and look to have done a top job with it. So this year of course we will push them hard all the way but we just need a little more time. 

What do you think of Matt Jackson?
He is only young, he's got a really well sorted fast car, but he seems to be handling the step up very well. He seems a very balanced individual as well, which is always a winner in my book. 

What would a third successive BTCC crown mean to you? Have you thought much about a hat-trick?
I try not to think about the titles and years, it just distracts from what's happening now, which is exactly how I approached it for the last two seasons when we've taken the title. For me, my immediate focus is how we make the car fast, strong and reliable. Sure, it would be sad not to do the treble, but if we don't we'll only be back next year, even stronger and harder to beat!