Throughout the late 1990s in the height of the supertouring era almost every BTCC fan had time for one team and driver - plucky independent Matt Neal and his family run Team Dynamics outfit. Matt was very much one of a kind in this era of sky high budgets and international superstars behind the wheel - a driver with no works support who had both the ability and team to match the big boys.
His first BTCC win at Donington in 1999 will go down as one of the greatest moments from the series of all time. A composed first half of the now long deceased feature race almost counted for nothing when he stalled exiting the pits. Incredibly after losing places hand over fist in the pit lane he recovered to outmuscle James Thompson and take the victory. The only time an independent driver ever won a race outright during the height of supertouring (1995-2000) Times have changed a great deal since then, with Matt now one of only 4 works drivers on the grid. Since the departure of Vxr at the end of the 2009 season the BTCC has became a field dominated by privately owned teams. No year however has seen a team as strong as Warren Scott's Team BMR outfit, independent or factory owned, since the Soper/Winkelhock Schnitzer team from 1993. In my opinion anyway! Rumours circulate during close season. Everyone knows it and very little attention is paid to it, just this year Jean-Eric Vergne was linked to MG and Jason Plato to the World Touring Cars with Citroen on a certain online forum! But one particular rumour had been hovering around longer than most - that linking Jason Plato and Colin Turkington to the previously named 'Chrome Edition ReStart Racing' who had taken their first ever BTCC wins the season before at the hands of Aron Smith. Despite this few could believe their eyes when it was confirmed that two of the greatest drivers to take to the BTCC track in the last 20 years - or even ever - who had spent last season playing mind games during a title duel were to join forces alongside Scott and Smith in a quartet of Volkswagen CC's. The cars were decent, but not perfect. The drivers outstanding, but questions marks were raised over whether they could work as a team. On top of that, the fantasy touring car team turned up at Brands Hatch for the opening round without any sponsorship on the stunning looking machines. Things did initially look bright...until a puncture snatched victory from Plato's grasp and forced him into the gravel trap at Paddock Hill bend. It was to prove to be but a small blemish on one of the double champion's most impressive six months ever in the series. During his half season with the team we've seen a different side to Plato. A more cunning, calculating, intelligent side. His drive and determination for a third title seem to be even greater than ever. The previous rash decision making, hot headedness lust for victory - which had perhaps cost him titles previously - appears to have resided. As well as 4 victories Plato has found himself in the top ten of every race, bar 2 ... and there was a reason for both of those results. The first was the third race on the opening weekend of the season at Brands where he had started on the back of the grid. The second, at Croft just before the summer break was for a far more controversial reason. After a disappointing qualifying session, which left him mid-pack Jason publicly stated his intention to start the race from the pit lane and try and gain a fast lap in order to place well for race 2. It was argued by some that it was not in the spirit of the sport, but despite this it undeniably did work and he claimed a 2nd and a 5th to round off a very decent weekend's work at his home circuit. This weekend the series travels to Snetterton as the second half of the season prepares to begin. A mere 16 years on from Neal's sensational win, could the 'indy' drivers make it three titles in a row this season? It'd take a very brave man to bet against it.
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April 2020
CategoriesAuthorI'm Fraser, 22, Sons fan who is now living the dream of reporting on Dumbarton for the Lennox Herald. |