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Matt Neal has paid tribute to his Honda Racing Team after scooping the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone last weekend.

A victory, a second place and an eighth position were enough for Neal to take his two-litre turbocharged Honda Civic to title glory, just eight points ahead of his team-mate Gordon Shedden.

"What an incredible feeling," says Neal. "It has been such a tough fight this season, not only with all the rivals on the grid by from my team-mate 'Flash' Gordon too. It has been nip-and-tuck all the way between all of us and for the title battle to come down to the final race was so tense.

"Winning it is a great reward for all the team and we have had the most consistent car across the season. The engine has been sweet and the chassis has been strong at every circuit we have gone to. I have to thank everyone at Honda (UK) for giving me such a great platform to perform with and that is what has given us this championship."

Neal took his eighth win of the season at the Northamptonshire track and that set him up to clinch the crown for the third time in his career in the final race of the afternoon in front of trackside 30,000 fans. He said that the victory had been the key to his weekend, but also paid further tribute to team-mate 'Flash' Gordon too.

"I never thought I would win this once, let alone three times," adds Neal. "We have the new Honda Civic coming out for next season and we are going to work hard on that, and Flash is improving every step of the way, so the package should be great next year too. We'll both be pushing hard, but I think it would be great for him to get one. He deserves it."

Shedden said that he had a taste of the title showdown and is looking forward to another challenge for the title in 2012. He won the second race of the weekend and backed that up with a podium in the opener, but it wasn't quite enough for him to overhaul Neal in the final reckoning.

"Finishing first and second is a reward for the effort we have put in for the whole season," says 'Flash'. "We have worked so hard. I am getting closer to claiming the overall title and I am on Matt Neal's heels now. When you see how happy everyone is in the whole team, it’s just mega, you can't be disappointed though even though I didn't take the crown.

"We have had a great car, Honda's support has been monumental and we've taken a clean sweep of all the trophies on offer for success in the British Touring Car Championship this season. How can that be a bad year? All we have to do is go out there and repeat it in 2012..."

The gloves will come off in the fight for the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone this weekend as the title run-in reaches judgement day.

After 27 rounds, the drivers' fight has boiled down to a three-race dash. Points leader Matt Neal and joint second place man Gordon Shedden are confident that their two-litre turbocharged Honda Racing Team Civics will be the machines to beat around the famous circuit.

The Honda Racing programme has already collected the 2011 HiQ Teams Championship and scooped the Manufacturers' title with a one-two finish at Brands Hatch last time out. Now there is only the drivers' crown to settle at the final meeting.

Neal is five points clear at the top of the hunt but it means that he goes to the races in Northamptonshire carrying 45 kilogrammes of success ballast. He thinks that could be a drawback but is determined that it won't halt his charge towards a third British Touring Car Championship trophy. Neal says: "Sometimes leading isn't the best place to be because of the weight handicap that it gives us but it also means we have done a good job up to now and we have the points on the board, which is the upside to it all. If we can qualify as high up on the grid as possible, it will give me a chance to control my own destiny. It is going to be a hard fight though."

'Flash' Gordon Shedden only has 27kgs of success ballast on his Civic going into the final rounds of the season and he says that he is determined that either he or Neal will lock out the opposition before hunting for the glory themselves. "Both Matt and I know it is important that one of us wins the drivers' title so we are going to work hard to put ourselves in that position first of all. After that, we want it to just be a fight between the two of us and in that instance, let the best man win!"

Neal says that a battle with his team-mate and friend Flash would be the perfect end to the highly successful campaign in 2011.

"If I can't win the championship for whatever reason, then I want 'Flash' to go and get it for the team and for Honda," added Neal. "We've both driven extremely hard and fair this season and it would be the icing on the cake for either one of us."

Shedden said that being on the cusp of the drivers' title was the realisation of a lifelong ambition, provided he takes one final successful step.

"This is the kind of situation you dream about when you start off in racing," he explains. "I am in a position to battle for the most prestigious crown in British motor sport and I have my team-mate in the mix with me. It is going to be a tense fight but I can't wait to get going. It has been such a great season and sealing the title would cap it perfectly."

The three races at Silverstone on Sunday are broadcast live on ITV4, and the opening round of the weekend takes place at 11:45hrs. Fans can also follow Honda Racing on Facebook and Twitter for news and race results as the action happens - www.facebook.com/HondaRacingBTCC and www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc

The fourth and final film in Honda Racing's 'What Drives a Racing Team' documentary series is now live on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oYFGpnAF1c

The spotlight is on the fans in this final instalment as the film captures their sheer passion and devotion to the Honda Racing team.

The Honda Racing Team is celebrating sealing two of the major honours in the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after last weekend's three races at Brands Hatch.

By finishing first and second in the final race of the weekend, drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden have helped the firm secure the BTCC Manufacturers/Constructors title, and the Honda Racing Team has also collected the HiQ Teams' Trophy.

Now two of the major accolades are in the cabinet, Neal and Shedden will now go toe-to-toe for the Drivers Championship in the final rounds of the year at Silverstone on October 15/16.

Neal's sixth victory of the year means he will go into the showdown in two weeks' time sitting on top of the table with Shedden tied for second place but only five behind his team-mate.

Neal says winning the manufacturers and teams trophies was a reward for the effort put in by his squad and also point to the attributes of the two-litre turbocharged Honda Civic.

"Winning these titles was our primary focus this season and we knew a good weekend at Brands Hatch would make it possible," says Neal. "It is fantastic to achieve it. I had a puncture in the opening race and things weren't looking good but to top it off with a one-two is such a great feeling.

"You have to have a fantastic all-round car to cope with the challenges of the BTCC. You need a good engine and chassis because you are pushing the whole time and we've obviously got the best one because we have won the championship!

"There is still one piece of the jigsaw missing which is the drivers' title – and we'll go for that as well."

Shedden's second place in the final event was also a highlight after he too had recovered from a tyre problem in the opening race. Like Neal, he battled back into the top ten in race two before leaping to the front of the field in the third race of the weekend to snatch the glory.

"It was a disappointing start to the weekend with the tyre problem," says 'Flash' Gordon Shedden. "But we got some salvation by securing the two trophies. This is the hardest championship to win in the UK and the Honda Civic has lifted the major titles – you can't get a better endorsement than that.

"The drivers' championship is going to be a battle between the five guys still in with a chance but Matt and I know we have a race-winning car underneath us. Let's hope that we can add to the collection of silverware at Silverstone."

Both Honda Racing Team drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden have pledged to go flat out for wins in the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend as they aim to protect their title advantage.

The pair are locked together at the head of the drivers' standings with six races remaining but they both know that they can't let up for their quest to land the most prestigious motor racing title in British motor racing.

Neal, a former two-time champion, explained: "Just because Gordon and I are leading the points, it's not going to change our attitude at all. We can't let it because there are six races to go and things can change quickly. We need to keep attacking for wins."

Neal and Shedden, along with the other turbo-powered cars in the series, have been fitted with 20 kilogrammes of extra ballast to handicap their machines and Neal says that the penalty has made things tough.

"Brands is a great track but we have the extra weight which is really going to hurt us. We have to cope with that as well as all the on-track rivals we normally have. This means we have to push to the limits every time we go on circuit just to keep up. There will be no backing off."

Scotsman Shedden says that they will work hard to protect each others bid on track and keep ahead of their rivals. "Both Matt and I want to win the title," says 'Flash' "If I can't win it then I want Matt too. That means we respect each other on track and we won't compromise each other."

Shedden, too, says that the extra weight is going to make it an uphill fight during the three races on Sunday. The 2.6-mile Brands Hatch Grand Prix layout is one of the most challenging in the country and demands a good all-round car, he says. "We are noticing the extra penalty in all areas - on the brakes, under acceleration, in the corners, everywhere," adds 'Flash'. "We are getting to the limit of grip with the tyres because we are hauling so much weight around and we are only still in the title fight because the Honda has such a great chassis.

"I love the circuit though and every driver will say it's one of their favourites. Every single corner is a challenge. There are fast corners out the back and there are crests where you take off and it's all arms and elbows. The satisfaction of getting the lap right is incredible."

The first of the weekend's three races, which are shown live on ITV4, is scheduled to begin at 11.30am on Sunday, October 2. Fans can also follow Honda Racing on Facebook and Twitter for news and race results as the action happens - www.facebook.com/HondaRacingBTCC and www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc

The next instalment of 'What Drives a Racing Team'

The third film in Honda Racing's 'What Drives a Racing Team' documentary series is now live on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEw5hyOo0Vo

This instalment takes a look at the whole Honda Racing team. Engineers, grid girls and team managers share their experiences of working with a championship-winning outfit.

Honda Racing team duo Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden can't be separated at the head of the title chase for the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after another winning weekend at Rockingham.

Shedden won the second race at the Northamptonshire track while a podium finish for Neal means that the two drivers are dead level after 24 races of the 30 race season and they have stolen a march on their rivals.

Neal said that he was thrilled with the all-round showing of the Civic during the three races at Rockingham, it was despite performance handicaps dictated by a change in the rules.

"They are throwing things in our direction to slow us down for doing a good job but we are fighting on regardless," explains the former double champion. "We were saddled with an extra 20 kilogrammes of weight at Rockingham and yet we still managed to bank a load of points.

"The extra penalty has made things hard compared to some cars that don't carry the extra handicap but the fact we still got strong results is down to the performance of the Honda. It has a great engine and chassis – the all round package means that we are compensating for the rule changes but it is getting harder and harder all the time. I would just love to race the car without any of the limitations that have been placed on us."

Neal has 204 points in the standings along with Shedden, and the pair are more than 20 clear of any other challenger with six races remaining in the series.

Shedden said that despite his win at the weekend the remaining two meetings would be hard work for the Honda duo. "Winning wasn't something I expected to do before we went to Rockingham because of the way things have been turned against us," explains 'Flash'. "We noticed the difference in the performance of the car and it has shifted the balance of power against us compared to most of our rivals.

"Like Matt says, the only reason we were able to put in such a good showing was that the Civic is an excellent all round package that works well on the fast corners and through the twists. It will certainly not make things easy for the rest of the season but we are both in the best place to be, which is on top of the points table.

"Matt and I both want to win this championship for Honda and that is our primary goal. Once that is done, we can look at sorting the drivers' title out between ourselves but there is a lot of racing yet to be done."

The penultimate meeting of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship takes place at Brands Hatch in Kent on October 1/2.

Honda Racing has confirmed its experienced and highly successful driver line-up in the current Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will remain unchanged for 2012.

Gordon 'Flash' Shedden and Matt Neal are currently one and two in the BTCC drivers' standings respectively, with only a point separating them.

Even though there are nine thrilling races left to run and all to play for, the pair have put pen to paper to continue their winning relationship with Honda Racing.

Dave Hodgetts, Managing Director of Honda (UK) said it was excellent news for everyone associated with Honda Racing and Team Dynamics, the car maker's long-standing BTCC partner.

He commented: "Both Matt and Gordon have been fantastic ambassadors for Honda during this season and we are delighted to have them racing for us in 2012. They will be behind the wheel of a race-prepared version of the new Honda Civic and we believe that will give us outstanding opportunities to further add to Honda's already-bulging trophy cabinet. We've still got a job to finish this year, though."

Gordon, who is currently number one in the BTCC drivers' standings, said he was delighted that a deal had been done for next season. "It gives strong sense of continuity and stability to the team and that's a very real benefit over some of our rivals."

Matt, a single point behind his team mate, said Honda's early commitment to BTCC next season – and to him and Gordon as drivers – was a real boost for the team. "It's so much more than just being on the track. It's about the passion and the desire for excellence that flows within the brand. Development work on the new car is well-advanced and we're excited about its chances."

Sponsors for the 2012 season will be announced over the coming months.

The second film in Honda Racing's 'What Drives a Racing Team' documentary series is now live on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVnBCX6VXCE. This instalment tells the story of the two Honda Racing drivers, their dreams and aspirations, the pressure they face and the work they need to do to win a race.

Honda Racing Team stars Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal will go to Rockingham this weekend for the next rounds of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship eager to extend their advantage at the head of the standings.

The two Civic drivers are first and second in the table and only one point separates them. This weekend's rounds at the Northamptonshire track will be key to set up the championship run-in. There are nine races left in the battle for the UK's most prestigious motor racing crown.

'Flash' Gordon Shedden won a race and scored a podium last time out at Knockhill in Scotland to move into pole position in the standings but that comes with its own drawbacks. It means he will have to carry the mandated 45 kilogrammes of success ballast into the opening race this weekend.

"Carrying the weight is a pain, but it means you are doing well in the points so that has to be a good thing," says the 31-year-old, who is seeking his maiden BTCC crown. "Qualifying is going to be vital for us at Rockingham, and lugging that extra weight around is going to make things tough.

"There are three heavy acceleration zones and that is where it is going to hurt us but we know we have a great car in the Civic and the chassis is excellent so hopefully that will help us overcome any handicap. In a sense, Rockingham is one of the worst tracks to come to if you have to carry 45 kilogrammes but it is the price you have to pay for wins."

As well as the struggle to carry the extra weight, Fife flier Shedden will be looking out for the driver he expects to give him the toughest time on the semi-oval layout. He thinks team-mate Neal will be hard on his heels.

"We want to win for Honda so we will be looking out for each other, but of course I want to prevail," adds 'Flash'. "It is going to be a really tough fight."

Neal is also saddled with 36 kilogrammes of success ballast because he is second in the points but he thinks that the weather could play a crucial factor in this weekend's rounds. "I have checked the forecast and it looks like it is going to rain at the weekend, which would make things very interesting," he says.

"I have won in the wet at Rockingham before, but it makes things difficult in terms of shaking up the order. It is impossible to predict how the others will get on in the rain, but we know that the Civic should be strong."

Neal says that he is determined to take the fight with his rivals, and team-mate Shedden, down to the final rounds at Silverstone on October 16.

"Myself and Flash will obviously be looking after each other and we are both determined to win the title but we still need to be looking over our shoulders too. There are so many people still in with a shout of winning this championship that we can't take our eye off the ball. This weekend will be a crucial one."

The first of the three races at the weekend gets underway at 11.30am and the entire day's action is carried live on ITV4. Fans can also follow Honda Racing on Facebook and Twitter for news and race results as the action happens - www.facebook.com/HondaRacingBTCC and www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc

Local hero Gordon Shedden was the toast of Knockhill as the Honda Racing driver swept to victory on his home track and moved into the lead of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on Sunday.

The 31-year-old scored a third place finish in the opening race of the weekend at the Fife venue and then won the second race. He backed up those results with a fighting fifth position in the final race of the weekend to move to the top of the drivers' standings. He is just one point ahead of team-mate Matt Neal.

Gordon 'Flash' Shedden, who is the commercial manager at the hillside venue, said that he thought it was mission accomplished over the course of the three races as he overturned a nine point deficit to seize the title advantage.

"I knew it would be crucial to get at least 30 points over the course of the three races at Knockhill, and the results went better than I could have expected. I scored 32, and I was able to win a round in front of my home fans which is always special."

Shedden said that the key strength of the Civic was its handling over the tight and twisty track, which he said gave him optimism for the remaining nine races in the championship. "We knew we had to exploit our chassis at Knockhill, and that is exactly what has helped us here," said Flash. "Some of the other cars have big turbochargers and were able to have an advantage on the straights, but our car came into its own in the corners. It shows what a great package we have with the Civic."

Shedden's team-mate Matt Neal backed up the Flying Scotsman's showings by taking two second places and a fourth to move into the slipstream of the new points leader. He racked up the points despite driving through the pain barrier last weekend. The former double champion fractured a bone in his hand in a martial arts exam in the weeks leading up to the race and was racing with his right hand strapped up while he was at the wheel.

"It's funny, it didn't hurt all the while I was racing but it is starting to ache now the adrenaline is wearing off," said the 44-year-old. "We have had some amazing results this weekend and once again we have shown that the Honda is the best all-round package in the series.

"To bounce back from the last meeting at Snetterton, where I had two non-scores, was vital in terms of the title run in. It is going to be a fight between myself and Gordon now for the rest of the season, but we aren't going to take our eye off the ball. There are so many competitive people in this championship and some really strong cars out there that we will have to keep pushing until the end of the season."

The next rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, the eighth meeting of the ten events, takes place at Rockingham in Northamptonshire on September 17/18.

The first video can be viewed on Honda's YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUZH7uU_DJk

Honda will compete in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in 2012 with a race-prepared version of its all-new Civic hatchback.

Two brand new race cars are being built by Honda's long-standing BTCC partner, Team Dynamics, to meet the latest NGTC regulations.

The Honda Racing Team will contest the championship as a full 'works' entry, hoping to repeat the success of 2010, when it won both the Teams' and Manufacturers' titles.

"We are delighted to enter the new Civic in next year's BTCC, and hope to build on the success we've already had with the current model," said Dave Hodgetts, Managing Director of Honda (UK).

"We've made significant improvements to the new road car, and we're confident those changes will make for a competitive race car too.

"The Civic is the perfect model to compete in British Touring Cars, as it has been born and bred in the UK. The new car has been tested on more UK roads than any other Honda, and it will continue to be built exclusively in Swindon."

Honda Racing Team driver, Matt Neal said: "We are all looking forward to 2012, and from my point of view it is very exciting to have the prospect of driving the new Honda Civic.

"The team's development of the car is already well underway, and the new Civic will fit the BTCC's 'Next Generation Touring Car' regulations. I'm sure it will keep Honda at the front, and in the winner's circle, both off and on track!"

Drivers and sponsors for 2012 will be announced over the coming months.

'What drives a racing team' film released

Honda has also released the first of four documentary films on what drives the Honda Racing Team to achieve success in the British Touring Car Championship.

The first short film focuses on the way the entire team works together over the course of the season. The second film, which tells the story of the two Honda Racing Team drivers, will be released on Thursday, 15 September.

The first video can be viewed on Honda's YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUZH7uU_DJk

Honda Racing Team stars Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden both think that this weekend's rounds of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Knockhill in Scotland will prove to be a happy hunting ground for points.

Neal will be battling through the pain barrier at Knockhill after fracturing a bone in his hand in a martial arts exam three weeks ago. He has rested his damaged hand and hopes that he will be fighting fit this weekend as he aims to climb back to the top of the drivers' standings.

"I am sure that once the adrenaline kicks in, I will be as competitive as usual despite what has happened to my hand," said Neal, who has already won five times this year.

"Knockhill is a tight and twisty circuit and that means you need a strong chassis, which is certainly one of the strong points of our Civic. We have worked hard on the handling of the car all season and we knew it would reap rewards when we get to demanding circuits like this one."

Neal, a former double champion, is aiming for three podium finishes in Scotland to reignite his title charge over the closing 12 rounds. "The championship fight has ebbed and flowed all the way through the year so far, but that is because the championship is so competitive this season," added Matt. "Three strong results at Knockhill would launch me right back into the heart of the title fight."

For Gordon 'Flash' Shedden, this weekend's meeting is one of his favourites of the season. The Fife man works at the circuit as its commercial director as his day job and he is relishing the chance to put on a good show for the home fans.

Shedden has won three times so far this season and is second in the points standings ahead of the seventh meeting of the year. Shedden knows that the three races in his backyard will be vital for the title run-in.

"The fans at my home circuit are amazing," said Shedden. "You can see their reaction when you are doing well. The paddock is so open that the crowd really feels like it is part of the event, which gives this round a unique atmosphere.

"The huge backing doesn't give me any more speed, because in this championship you have to drive flat out to get the most out of every race, but it certainly is a confidence boost," adds 'Flash'. "It means you can walk through the paddock a couple of inches higher because you know that there are so many people willing you to do well.

"There are no more points on offer at Knockhill than there are at any other circuit though and I have to take that on board. To keep up the championship challenge, you need strong finishes everywhere and it might be more sensible for me to bank a decent finish rather than go for broke, even if it is my home circuit. At the end of the day, this is just another building block towards my aim of winning the overall title."

The three races take place on the Fife circuit on Sunday 4 September, and are broadcast live on ITV4. The opening race of the day takes place at 11.45am.Fans can also follow Honda Racing on Facebook and Twitter for news and race results as the action happens - www.facebook.com/HondaRacingBTCC and www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc

Honda Racing Team duo Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden suffered a weekend of mixed fortunes in the sixth meeting of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Snetterton.

Shedden took his third victory of the season in race two at the Norfolk track in his two-litre turbocharged Honda Civic to keep himself in the heart of the title fight. Neal faced a huge fight back after being pushed off the track in the opening race. He recovered to take fourth in the third race of the weekend but has slipped from the lead of the points table to third place. Shedden's results mean he has leapfrogged Neal to claim second spot in the race for the crown.

'Flash' Gordon said he was delighted with his victory and third place that have turned the heat up on the title contenders.

"The championship has been so competitive this season that it is vital that you keep racking up the finishes," said 'Sheds'. "You can't afford to drop behind, so coming away from this weekend with 30 points has been perfect. It is a shame that Matt had his problems, because otherwise we could have been first and second in the standings.

"After finishing third in the first race, I thought a victory might be on the cards in race two and I just concentrated on hitting the front as soon as I could. When the chance came at the second corner, I just grabbed it and it was pretty comfortable thereafter. The Civic has an excellent chassis and that meant that even though I had 27kgs of success ballast, I was still able to draw away as I pleased."

For Neal, the three races produced only a single fourth place finish after he was involved in a first corner collision with rival Jason Plato in race one. Plato was later reprimanded for his part in the crash.

Neal explained: "I made a brilliant start from fourth place on the grid and was alongside Jason, who was in the lead, going into the first turn and he just hit my car from behind. I spun across the track at 120mph, which was pretty scary and I am thankful no one else touched me."

That meant Neal finished outside the points and a puncture also thwarted his chances in race two. A storming comeback in the third encounter netted fourth place, but it was a weekend to forget in most respects.

"I am angry because my chances were spoiled by an avoidable incident in race one which also put me at the back for race two, so that was two big points scoring opportunities gone," explained Neal. "I was happy to get back to fourth in race three but when you consider what we should have been able to achieve here, I am annoyed. Still, there are plenty of races to go and we will work extremely hard to make up the ground we have lost here."

The next rounds of the championship will be held on Shedden's home soil at Knockhill in Fife, Scotland, on September 3/4.

Honda Racing Team has produced a trailer video to promote the release of four short documentary films on its participation in the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Each film will focus on what drives the Honda Racing Team to achieve success in one of Britain's biggest and most exciting race series.

The first documentary, produced by leading short film label, Future Shorts, will be released in late August, ahead of Rounds 19-21 of the BTCC at Knockhill.

To view the trailer film, visit Honda's You Tube channel: http://bit.ly/qp3tcH

Honda Racing Team drivers Matt Neal and Gordon 'Flash' Shedden are eager to continue their dominant form as the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship blasts back into life at Snetterton in Norfolk this weekend.

The Civic duo are first and third in the drivers' points standings at the halfway point of the year and are aiming to stretch further away from the competitive field over the remaining 15 rounds.

Both drivers took part in a test session at Donington Park recently to check out revisions to the two-litre turbocharged machine and say they are keen to get back into the heat of battle.

Neal explains: "Our Civic is one of the best handling cars on the grid, but you can always keep refining things and that is what we did at the test. We were chipping away at the suspension settings trying to find an extra edge. Although there has been a seven-week break in the championship, our team never stands still in the quest to make the Civic even stronger."

A rule change from the championship bosses will peg back Neal's and Shedden's cars and force them to run with less turbo boost pressure this weekend but Neal says that the homework done by the team should keep the car at the front.

"We have yet again been held back for doing a good job so far this year, which seems unfair," said Neal. "But we can only make sure that we have the handling and the speed to overcome this handicap. I am confident that we will perform."

The Snetterton circuit has been completely remodelled since last season and now features a new three-mile configuration with a demanding infield section. 'Flash' Gordon says that the challenge will be ramped up for everyone.

"It is like going to a totally new track," says Flash. "It has new sections that are twisty, but there are still the long straights and they will play into our hands."

"My prime target is to cut the gap to Matt at the top of the points standings. The championship has been so tight and competitive this season and we have already seen that it can alter dramatically over the course of any given weekend. If I can leave Snetterton having narrowed the gap to Matt and made Honda one-two in the drivers' points, then I will be happy."

The first of the weekend's three races kicks off at 12.10am on Sunday and the entire day's action will be shown live on ITV4. Fans can also follow Honda Racing on Facebook and Twitter for news and race results as the action happens - www.facebook.com/HondaRacingBTCC and www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc

Honda Racing Team ace Matt Neal heads the charge for the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after two majestic wins at Croft in North Yorkshire.

It means the Civic driver is now nine points clear at the head of the drivers' standings with the championship at its halfway point while the sister car of Flash Gordon Shedden is third in the standings only 20 points adrift. Honda also continues its leads of the manufacturer and team standings.

Neal conquered the tricky conditions in the opening race on Sunday to fend off a late charge from a rival and took the chequered flag just 0.055 seconds clear following a tense race. He was able to control the pace in the second race to add his fifth win of the campaign and was then seventh in the reversed grid race three. Three top six finishes for Scotsman Shedden have also helped him keep the pressure on in the fight for the prestigious crown.

"If you had have offered me two podium finishes coming in to this weekend, I would have taken them," said Neal. "To get two wins and then more points in race three was better than we could have imagined. The Honda Racing Team car has been fantastic this weekend. We have worked hard on getting the most out of the handling of the Civic chassis which really is a benefit in the wet weather – the entire Honda Racing Team crew has been at the top of its game this weekend and that is what has helped us to get the results."

Shedden said he was disappointed not to have scaled the podium but thinks that there are lessons that can be learned from a solid weekend at Croft.

"I was never really in the sweet spot with the handling of the car but we still walked away with three top six finishes," said Flash. "I am frustrated that I couldn't have been on the podium like Matt but I know the potential is there in the car and we just have to work on finding it.

"We have got a seven-week break in the championship now before the next rounds at Snetterton, so we have plenty of time to go back through the data that we get from this meeting to work out the areas that will push me even further forwards. This wasn't a perfect weekend for me, but it wasn't a disaster either. In this series, it is all about consistently scoring points."

The next rounds of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship takes place at Snetterton in Norfolk on August 6/7.

Honda Racing Team drivers Matt Neal and Gordon 'Flash' Shedden are feeling positive ahead of this weekend's rounds of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Croft in North Yorkshire.

Former double champion, Matt Neal heads to the fifth meeting of the season on top of the drivers' standings and Honda also leads the manufacturers' and teams' points tables too. Neal and team-mate Gordon Shedden are both hopeful that the demanding 2.25-mile track will help to deliver more success for the Honda Racing team.

"It has been a great track for us in the past and I think that we will be strong there again," said Neal. "It's a track that really rewards a car that has a strong chassis and that is something we have got with the Civic. It's very strong in the fast sweeping corners and it's also a good car when you have to be aggressive across the kerbing. I am going there confident of a strong weekend."

Despite Neal's optimism, he says that there will be one factor which could knock the team's preparations ahead of the three races on Sunday – the good old British weather. "We saw at the last round at Oulton Park that difficult conditions can change everything," said Neal. "I have looked at the forecast for the weekend and it looks unpredictable. I just hope we can have three dry races to get the most out of the car."

Neal's team-mate Shedden is just two points behind in the race for the drivers' title and he says that Croft could be one of the turning points of the season. "I agree that our car is going to be strong around Croft and I took two wins there last season," said Flash. "Our rivals don't stand still though so we will have to push hard to stay on top.

"For each weekend, I need to take away 30 points to remain in the title hunt – that is the target. That means three solid top three finishes and if you can get any more than that, then it is a bonus. I think we can perform strongly because it is such a technical track and it has two distinct characters.

"It has some really fast corners around the back of the circuit which mean you need a great handling car but it also has the slow and technical stuff at the end of the lap so we need to make sure that the set-up is perfect. Getting all of those elements right is what makes it such a buzz when you hook it all up."

The fifth meeting of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship takes place on Saturday and Sunday and the entire race day is broadcast live on ITV4. The first race takes place on Sunday at 12.10pm. Fans can also follow Honda Racing on Facebook and Twitter for news and race results as the action happens - www.facebook.com/HondaRacingBTCC and www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc

A win and a podium position in the fourth meeting of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park on Sunday has hauled Gordon Shedden on to the boot lid of his Honda Racing Team Civic team-mate Matt Neal at the top of the chase for this season's drivers' title.

Shedden stormed to victory in the opening race of the weekend in Cheshire after an inspired tyre choice in tricky conditions. His blend of slick rubber and treaded racing Dunlops was the key to his win.

In race two, Shedden was fighting for another win when he and Neal collided at the last corner after what Neal described as a "horrible mistake" which ran them both off the road. In the final encounter they both bounced back with Shedden taking second place and Matt in fourth to consolidate the teams' grip on the drivers' standings, the team points and the manufacturers' chase.

Looking back on the weekend, Shedden said that the pace the Civic had shown in the tricky conditions meant it was uncatchable for rivals. "It was raining on and off, and in those conditions you need a great chassis," explains the Scot. "The fact we were able to run at the front in both races proves that we have been working on all the right areas when it comes to traction and grip."

Former champion Neal apologised to Shedden after their race two contact and 'Flash' Gordon said the incident proved how hard the two drivers were pushing. "After winning race one we were determined to get the most out of race two that we could. It was unfortunate that we made contact but these things happen in racing," said the Fife Flier. "The best way to respond was to get back on to the podium in the third race and that was what we did."

The treacherous conditions prompted a difficult tyre choice for the entire field at the start of the opening race and Neal opted for wet weather tyres all round. However, as the track dried up he found that the grip went away in his treaded rubber and he could only manage eighth position. Then came the race two incident with Flash.

"I am annoyed with myself for letting it happen," he said. "I am sorry for Flash that I crashed into him. I was looking down the inside and it was wetter on the track than I thought. I locked up the brakes and went into him. I am sorry for him and for the team because we would have had a one-two finish."

Despite that hiccup, Neal charged from 19th on the grid to fourth in the final dry race of the day and that was enough to ensure he left Oulton Park still in the lead of the points standings. He is two points in front of Shedden.

"Every cloud has a silver lining," says Neal. "It was hard to find a positive after race two but when the car was free of success ballast it was really hooked up in race three. We have been working so hard on the chassis and the engine and everything trying to make it faster and it showed it's been worth it today. I hold my hands up and even though I did my best to drop the ball in race two we are still in the in the fight, which is great as we are getting to the halfway stage of the season."

The next rounds of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship take place at Croft in North Yorkshire on June 18/19.

Honda Racing Team star Matt Neal is aiming to consolidated his points lead in the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park this weekend as the series nears its halfway stage.

Neal currently sits on top of the points after nine races in his two-litre turbocharged Civic but he says running at very front will be a tough task because he has to carry an extra 45 kilogrammes for the first of three races in Cheshire because he is the pacesetter.

"The rules say that if you are leading the points, you have to have success ballast and that is going to be a real penalty around somewhere like Oulton Park," says Neal. "It is a fast, flowing circuit with lots of undulations and plenty of points where you have to accelerate hard – which is where the success ballast is going to hold me back. Despite that, I love the track because it is a real challenge and you have to be very committed."

Despite the weight handicap, Neal says the 2.26-mile track will also play to some of the Honda's strengths. "One thing that we do have up our sleeve is that Oulton is about handling and we know that the Civic has a brilliant chassis," adds Neal. "If we can exploit that and then maybe shed some of the success ballast later on then we will have a real shot at big points. I am looking to protect the advantage that I have in the standings and then reap the rewards in races two and three. I am expecting my main opposition to come from my team-mate 'Flash' Gordon Shedden and I will be trying to hang on to him."

Flash comes into the fourth meeting of the year with only a small amount extra weight on his car and he will be able to exploit the hatchback to its maximum.

A win and a second place last time out at Thruxton has thrust the Fife Flier back into contention and he is in fifth place in the points table. His results this year have helped Honda to the top of the manufacturers' standings and the Honda Racing Team is also leading the teams' contest.

Like Neal, Flash rates his chances highly going into the meeting. "It will be wins that I am after," said Shedden. "I am not that far away from second in the points behind Matt and the best way to achieve that is to win races at Oulton Park.

"I have traditionally gone well there and the Civic is a great car for getting around the sweeps and the dips at the track so I am going to the races in a very optimistic frame of mind. I only have nine kilogrammes of success ballast and that puts me in a good position to capitalise while the others are loaded up. There is lots of racing to be done and they have changes the rules again ahead of this meeting so I am expecting the competition to be strong but I am confident that we will be right in the mix as well.

The Honda Racing Team stormed to a pair of one-two finishes in the third meeting of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton on Sunday and now head all of the series' points tables.

Racers Matt Neal and 'Flash' Gordon Shedden shared a win apiece in the opening two races before a fifth and sixth place in race three. It meant that both drivers were the biggest scorers from the weekend. Neal now leads the race for the drivers' crown with Shedden in fifth, while the Honda Racing Team leads the teams' championship.

Honda and Team Dynamics sit on top of the Manufacturers' and Constructors' championship as well. "I am over the moon," said Neal. "Considering that we were told to run with less power by the series officials before we came to this meeting, a win for Flash and a win for me is amazing. It is perfect for the team."

"Thruxton is a very unique track and we performed extremely well, which is down to the great handling of the Civic. It has a really strong chassis and we proved that at Thruxton but we still have work to do to – this championship is so competitive and everyone's always improving. The car has been totally hooked up this weekend and I really couldn't fault it."

Shedden's results halt a run of bad luck that has stretched over the first two meetings of the year but he showed his potential with the dominant win in the opening race of the weekend. "I needed three solid points finishes to really kick start my campaign – but the fact that Matt scored as much as me means the gap is still the same to him," said Shedden. "It has put me back in the hunt though."

"Given all the controversy building up to this weekend, these results show that we have got our heads down and got on with the work we needed to do, which is really pleasing. It is a testament to the team that they have built a really good race car and we are reaping the rewards of the hard work that everybody has put in to this programme."

"To be on top of all three championships when we are just a quarter of the way through the season is a great tribute to the car and the two-litre turbocharged engine. We still have to fight and look for improvements, but this weekend has been a real fillip for everyone involved."

The next rounds of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship take place at Oulton Park in Cheshire in five weeks time on June 4/5.

Honda Racing Team ace Matt Neal zeroed in on the lead of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after taking his second win of the season at Donington Park on Sunday.

The Civic driver lined up his hatchback on pole position for the first of the weekend's three races and built up a solid lead to bag victory number two of his campaign. He backed that up with a third place in the second race and seventh position in the final race of the weekend.

It meant Neal was one of the highest scoring drivers over the three races at the Leicestershire track and he is now just five points away from the championship summit.

The 44-year-old said he was pleased with his weekend's work and he was also happy with the tweaks the Honda Racing Team had made to his two-litre turbocharged Civic.

"We were pushing hard all weekend and we've got the results," said Neal. "This championship is all about being consistent and grabbing the wins when you can and that is what we have done. I was roughed up a bit in the third race of the weekend but I've collected 32 points over the weekend, which is good. We've worked on the set-up of the car as well, and we're starting to understand what makes it tick, so I'm leaving Donington Park with plenty of optimism."

Neal's team-mate Gordon Shedden had a bitter weekend when his car failed a technical check after he had finished in third position in the opening race of the weekend. The team reported that the car had somehow exceeded its 1.8-bar of boost pressure and Shedden was relegated to the back of the grid for the second race. He battled through to sixth place, but was ruled out of the third round when he was caught up in an opening lap skirmish. He is currently seventh in the standings.

"I just can't buy any luck at the moment," said Shedden. "I've been in the wrong place at the wrong time and had the worst of it, but I'm convinced we can start scoring big points from the next round onwards. We just need things to go our way."

The next rounds of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship are due to take place at Thruxton on April 30/May 1.

Honda Racing Team drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden will be back on the victory trail in the second meeting of the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park this weekend.

Neal won a race at the opening meeting of the year at Brands Hatch two weeks ago with the reworked Civic, which is now fitted with a two-litre turbocharged engine, while Shedden scored a second place in race two. The Scotsman is in fourth place in the race for the crown, just ahead of Neal.

Shedden, 32, says that further upgrades to the Civic have filled him with confidence ahead of rounds four, five and six on Sunday. "We're in good shape," he explains. "Brands was the first time we had run the car in race conditions and it proved very strong.

"The team has learned an awful lot about the car over the two weeks since Brands and we have some new tweaks coming for Donington Park to further improve the suspension. We have the power and if we can fine-tune the handling there's no reason why we can't win more than one race this weekend.

"I love Donington Park and I have traditionally gone well there," he adds. "It's an old school circuit with undulations and fast, flowing corners which play to the strengths of the excellent handling of the Civic. I'm raring to go."

Neal was bumped off the road in the first round at Brands Hatch but later opened Honda's winning account with a stunning victory in the third race of the weekend. The former double champion says that scoring points early on in the year is going to be vital to mount a title campaign.

"We need to make hay while we can," said Neal, 44. "The turbocharged engine is very strong, but when the weather gets hotter in the middle of the season it's going to be tougher for us. More heat means there will be extra demands on the brakes and tyres, so we need to capitalise when we can. Donington Park will be a good circuit for us, although there are still some unknowns with the new car because this is a new project for us."

Neal became the third most successful driver ever in the British Touring Car Championship with his 37th career win at Brands Hatch two weeks ago but says that he isn't interested in the record books – only what lays ahead.

"It is a nice thing to have that many first places but every win is as special as the first one," he explains. "Taking victory at Brands Hatch in race three felt very sweet but it's just another step towards taking the drivers', manufacturers' and teams' championships this season. That is all I really care about."

The first of the weekend's three races kicks off at 11.35am on Sunday and the entire day's action will be shown live on ITV4. Fans can also follow Honda Racing on Facebook and Twitter for news and race results as the action happens - www.facebook.com/HondaRacingBTCC and www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc

The Honda Racing Team opened its 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship attack with a stirring victory at Brands Hatch on Sunday.

Matt Neal had a great start and qualified fastest for the opening race of the season but his lead was short lived when he was punted out by a rival, who was later penalised, on the first lap. However, Neal bounced back to show the new 2-litre turbocharged Civic's potential with a lights-to-flag victory in the final round of the weekend. His victory was allied to a fighting seventh position in the second race.

Neal, who is fifth in the points after Brands Hatch, explained: "We've got to be pleased with what we've achieved this weekend but it could have been even more if I hadn't have been knocked off the road in the opening race. Despite that, the performance has given me confidence. The potential in the car and the speed it's shown straight out of the box has made me really optimistic.

"When the car is in clear air, we are very fast and it's a strong car in qualifying," added the former double champion. "We have christened the new engine and it's performed perfectly first time out, which is a testament to the effort we've all put in. We aren't going to stand still now and we will work harder than ever to stay at the front."

One of the most remarkable stories of the weekend was Gordon Shedden. The Fife ace had a 130mph accident during practice on Saturday when a tyre failed but heroic work by the Honda Racing mechanics meant the machine was repaired in time for race day. Despite starting at the back of the pack, Flash scorched through the pack to record a sixth place finish in the opening round. In race two, he vaulted to second place to give the Honda Racing Team its first podium of the season.

"I'm proud of the whole team this weekend because what they did was nothing short of a miracle," explained the 32-year-old. "My car was in bits after the incident in qualifying and the guys pulled out all the stops to put it back together. Everyone's gone above and beyond the call of duty to give me a car to race in. What is incredible is that I didn't only have a car to race, I had a quick car and I managed to score a podium."

Following his remarkable second place, Shedden backed that up with a fighting fourth place in race three. His points tally means he's fourth in the overall standings and, like Neal, he is full of enthusiasm for the season ahead.

"The car has got huge potential," he added. "We have the positives of the turbocharged engine and we will learn more about the handling. We were hopeful, but we didn't know what to expect until these opening rounds were finished. The Honda has performed better than we could have hoped for and we will move on to Donington Park with a lot of confidence."

The second meeting of the British Touring Car Championship season takes place at Donington Park on April 16/17.

"With any new engine, it's going to take a bit of time to get the maximum out of it but I think we are in a position to collect a healthy haul of points this weekend and get the championship ball rolling."

The 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship blasts into life at Brands Hatch this weekend and Honda Racing drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden can't wait to launch their campaign for glory.

Both racers will strap themselves in to the Honda Civic fitted with a new two-litre turbocharged engine for the new 30-race campaign. They are aiming to defend the teams' and manufacturers' titles that they scooped last season and claim the drivers' trophy which they both narrowly missed out on last year.

They will also be showing their support for the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal by sporting the web address – www.redcross.org.uk/japan - across the back window of their Civics for the opening rounds of the season. Given that both Pioneer and Yuasa, the team's main sponsors, are also Japanese, the team wanted to acknowledge the earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck Japan on 11 March, causing widespread destruction and suffering. By prominently displaying the web address Honda Racing hopes to encourage fans to visit the website and make a donation towards the relief effort.

The battle begins...

Neal, a former double champion with Honda, thinks that the battle for the title this season will be stronger than ever. "We have a new engine to get to grips with but other teams and drivers have new combinations to get used to as well.

"We have undergone a very successful testing programme but you never know exactly how hard rivals have pushed so it's impossible to say how we'll match up to them in the first qualifying session of the season on Saturday at Brands," he added. "All we know is that we have concentrated on our own car and our own performance and we are very pleased with where we are at in terms of the set-ups we're likely to use.

"With any new engine, it's going to take a bit of time to get the maximum out of it but I think we are in a position to collect a healthy haul of points this weekend and get the championship ball rolling."

While drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden are busy refining their 2011 British Touring Car Championship Honda Civics with test mileage ahead of the season opener at Brands Hatch this weekend, Honda Racing is pleased to announce the appointment of several key sponsors together with a technical support arrangement concluded with Bosch Engineering GmbH Motorsport.

Joining the team for the first time is CTEK, the leading global brand in the care and maintenance of vehicle batteries, and Dread, Honda Racing's new official clothing supplier and leading provider of corporate, promotional and team clothing.

Honda Racing Team is also working with Bosch Engineering GmbH Motorsport for the 2011 season. Bosch is a leading global automotive supplier of technology and services.

Marshall Motor Group, Honda UK's largest dealer group, is no stranger to the Honda Racing Team and the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. After a successful 2010 with the team, Marshall Motor Group is back for a second season in a row.

Sarah Mayo, Partnerships Manager, Honda (UK) commented "It's great to see some new faces onboard for the 2011 season and we're also delighted to see Marshall Motor Group sign up for their second year with us.

"Combine these sponsors with Pioneer and Yuasa and the Honda Racing team has some exceptionally strong support behind it. We've already had very promising results in our pre-season testing with Matt Neal setting the fastest time at Snetterton last week - 2011 is promising to be a thrilling season. We can't wait for it to begin."

The 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship first group test session of the season took place at Silverstone last Thursday. Honda drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden joined the rest of the field for the four-hour session that took place at the championship's media presentation day. Neal ended up in third place with the new two-litre turbocharged Civic and the former double champion is confident there is more pace to come from the hatchback.

"The car ran brilliantly all day and we showed some really good pace," said Neal. "We're still working on the set up of the car because the weight distribution is different with the new engine but we found some really promising directions at Silverstone. We've only just begun to tap into the potential of the car so I'm very optimistic."

Former champion Matt Neal and team-mate Gordon Shedden have both been refining their 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Honda Civic with test mileage ahead of the new season and are pleased with progress.

The Honda Racing Team duo have developed the revamped car at Snetterton in Norfolk, Donington Park and Silverstone over the last five days as they prepare to defend the team's manufacturers' crown.

The car is fitted with a new two-litre turbocharged engine ahead of a rule change this season and Neal stunned rivals by setting the fastest time at Snetterton on Tuesday (March 15).

"The car has lots of potential," explained 44-year-old Neal. "The new turbo engine gives us lots of torque but it changes the characteristics of the car quite significantly in terms of the power delivery. I will have to adapt to that and the more testing laps we can do, the better it will be. I was happy with how we managed to run at Snetterton particularly.

"We have also been through a range of set-ups on the chassis and so far, it has reacted exactly as we expected it to," added Neal. "It is encouraging but we still need to do more running to fully understand the car."

Shedden said that he was optimistic about the season ahead after his initial outings in the reworked car. He sampled the hatchback at Snetterton and again at Silverstone on Friday. "It certainly requires a different driving technique to the car we had last season," said the Scot.

"There are lots of new variables with the different weight distribution and the turbo but we have already seen that the Civic has got massive potential.

"It is important we do as much testing as we can before the start of the season to get the most out of it, but I am happy that we have the basic ingredients in place already."

The 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship kicks off at Brands Hatch in Kent on April 2/3. The Honda Racing Team's test programme continues with the first official group test of the season at Silverstone in Northamptonshire on Thursday this week (March 24).

Honda (UK) has launched a website counting down to the start of the 2011 British Touring Car Championship, which starts in just over two weeks time on 3 April.

The new site kick-starts the Honda Racing Team's challenge for the 2011 Championship. Last season, the team took two out of three titles and is aiming for one better this year. The URL for the teaser site is: http://www.honda.co.uk/btcc

A countdown clock on the website is ticking down to the first race at Brand Hatch in Kent on Sunday 3 April, alongside a video featuring 'sneak-peek' footage of Honda drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden during pre-season testing.

From 1 April, the site will develop into a content rich, interactive portal with behind-the-scenes stories, images and videos, live updates during each qualifying sessions and race weekends, insights into the team drivers and competitions to win Honda Racing prizes.

The website launch coincides with the introduction of two new social media channels to support the Honda Racing Team efforts in 2011. A new, official Facebook page will allow fans to interact with drivers, ask questions, comment during races and learn more about the team and the Honda Civic race cars. http://on.fb.me/ijw2IW

Meanwhile, the official team Twitter feed will update followers on the latest from the workshop, the pit and paddock. Link: http://www.twitter.com/hondaracingbtcc

This will be the second season that Yuasa is supporting the team and as one of the main sponsors, racing fans will see increased Yuasa branding on the car when the livery is revealed in the coming weeks.

Sarah Mayo, Partnerships Manager, Honda (UK) commented; "As one of our principal sponsors, the support provided by Yuasa this year is invaluable. Yuasa and Honda have a long history together in both automotive and motorcycle markets with Yuasa's high quality battery products being utilised in many Honda vehicles so this partnership is a perfect fit."

Andrew Taylor, Yuasa Battery Sales (UK) Ltd's Managing Director, commented, "Our 2010 sponsorship of Honda Racing proved a great success in raising the profile of the Yuasa brand and we are very pleased to be increasing our commitment to the team in 2011."

The Honda Racing Team is in the midst of pre-season testing where significant changes to the engine and chassis are being put through their paces. The team have been working exceptionally hard over the winter months to develop the new 2011 racing Civic and they are certainly not resting on their laurels. Everyone is expecting a highly competitive 2011 season of nail-biting racing and the Honda Racing Team has its eye firmly on the goal of winning all three Championship trophies on offer this year.

Sarah Mayo, Partnerships Manager, Honda (UK), said eagle-eyed BTCC fans would have spotted Pioneer branding on the Honda Racing Team's two Honda Civics throughout the second half of the 2010 season.

She added: "Today's announcement takes Honda (UK)'s existing partnership with Pioneer to a new level. We are delighted to have its support in what promises to be a thrilling season of action. Our target is a clean sweep of all three BTCC trophies – Driver, Team and Manufacturer."

Paul Carpenter, Managing Director, Pioneer GB Ltd, said Pioneer was proud to be supporting the Honda Racing Team again this year. "Honda is renowned for its innovation and technical expertise, as well as products of a very high calibre. With similar brand values, this is something Pioneer is delighted to be aligned with."

Paul concluded: "We wish the team great success for the forthcoming season and look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with Honda."

A strong bond between the two companies already exists in Japan, where Honda Motor Co Ltd is a major client of Pioneer for the supply of equipment for production vehicles.

Honda Racing Team's attack on the 2011 championship will once again be spearheaded by a winning partnership of drivers – twice former titleholder Matt Neal and Scotsman Gordon 'Flash' Shedden.

Both were in contention for the 2010 Driver's title heading into the final round of 2010, and eventually finished second and third respectively. Each gained five wins and a total of 22 podiums, securing the Team and Manufacturer trophies for Honda.

As in 2010, Matt and Flash will be behind the wheel of a Honda Racing Team Civic – complete with Pioneer branding – but this year it will be a very different car. Revised regulations mean it will be a more powerful vehicle, driven by a newly developed turbo-charged four-cylinder petrol engine.

A full 'works' entry, it continues the successful partnership with the West Midlands-based race outfit Team Dynamics.

The Honda Racing Team today officially announced that drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden will once again be behind the wheel of the Honda Racing Civics for the 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

The strong partnership of twice BTCC champion Matt Neal and Gordon 'Flash' Shedden will build on the successful 2010 season for the Honda Racing Team. Both drivers were in contention until the final round at Brands Hatch earlier this month where they narrowly missed out in the fight for the Drivers' crown, finishing in second and third spot respectively.

Neal, 43, from Worcester notched up 5 wins over the season while his team-mate Flash, 31, from Fife also had 5 wins. Shedden was recently awarded the prestigious BRDC Silver Star over both team-mate Neal and the 2010 BTCC Champion Plato, for scoring more points overall in his top 12 finishes this season.

Honda (UK) and Team Dynamics are already working closely together on plans and car development for the 2011 season. The team walked away with both the Team and Manufacturers' Trophies and the target is for a clean sweep next season, so no one is resting on their laurels.

David Hodgetts, Managing Director Honda (UK) said: “We are thrilled to announce Matt and Gordon as our drivers once again for next year. They have shown they are a winning combination on the track and they are excellent ambassadors for the Honda brand off the track too.”

Matt Neal said: “I'm looking forward to a thrilling 2011. The Civic is a real driver's car which gives you amazing performance and road holding both on and off the track. I can't wait to get the season started again.”

Gordon Shedden said: “It was great to be back home in the Honda Civic in 2010 which delivered fantastic results. The aim is to come back even stronger and go for a clean sweep of titles in 2011. Bring it on!”

Honda Racing clinched the Teams Championship at the final rounds of the 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch last weekend to add to its already impressive haul of silverware this season.

Drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden took three podiums across the three races to help Team Dynamics, which runs the Honda Racing Team Civics, to fend off the opposition and win the trophy. Honda had already wrapped up the Manufacturers spoils.

While the drivers narrowly missed out in the fight for the drivers’ crown to Jason Plato, Neal said that the team’s on-track showings had exceeded expectations.

“Usually you would be delighted to have finished second in a championship but it isn’t enough for us,” said Neal. “We are winners and that is what we always want to do but we were up against a team with huge budget.”

“It has been a great year for Honda and we have had some great successes so it is nice to reward the boys who work so hard on the car with a trophy. I gave it everything I had got at Brands Hatch and drove my heart out but it just didn’t work out for me to overhaul Plato.”

Despite the personal disappointment, Neal says he is already plotting his revenge. “For us the work never stops,” added Neal. “We have already started thinking about next year’s challenge and how we can take a clean sweep of all the trophies. This week is the first week of our 2011 programme and we can’t wait to get stuck in to it.”

Shedden, who finished in third place in the points, paid tribute to the work done by the team throughout the year to extract every last ounce of performance from the two-litre touring car. “I am upset that neither Matt or I were able to reward Honda with a drivers title but just take a look at the way we have performed this season as a unit. The car has been fantastic all the way through the year and we have been up against some of the most experienced rivals you could imagine.”

“Against that backdrop, we have pushed hard and made the car competitive at every circuit. As a result, we have taken two of the three major titles on offer. It also means we should be really proud of having two of the top three drivers in the championship. That shows that Honda is a winning product and that it will only get faster in the BTCC.”

Honda has confirmed its commitment to the 2011 British Touring Car Championship, in which it will enter two racing Honda Civics, prepared by Team Dynamics.

The Honda Racing Team will compete in next year’s championship as a full ‘works’ entry, and will continue a successful partnership with the West Midlands-based Team Dynamics, with whom Honda won the 2010 Manufacturers’ title.

To meet the revised 2011 regulations, a new, more-powerful Honda Civic will race for the championship, and Team Dynamics and Neil Brown Engineering have already begun to develop a turbo-charged Honda engine for the challenge.

“After another positive year of racing, we are delighted to commit to the BTCC for 2011”, said David Hodgetts, Managing Director of Honda (UK). “Almost 90 per cent of the Honda cars we sell in this country are built in the UK, so we believe it’s important to support a national championship. We can’t wait to get back on track next year with another competitive Civic race car.”

It’s been a successful 2010 for Honda in the BTCC, with the team racing to 22 podiums and 5 wins each for drivers Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden. They go into the final rounds at Brands Hatch this weekend in first place in the team standings, and with both its drivers in with a shout of taking the championship.

Steve Neal, Team Principal of Team Dynamics said: “We are really pleased that Honda is giving us the opportunity to continue to run their team in the 2011 BTCC. To gain the endorsement of Honda is testament to the hard work put in by our team and, of course, the results achieved. We know that results matter and expect to be challenging for championship honours once again next season.”

“We know we have a beautifully balanced car in the Civic and the race engineering 'know how' to maximise the benefit of the extra power the new regulations bring,” Neal continued.

Drivers and sponsors for 2011 will be announced over the coming months.

Rounds 28-30, Brands Hatch, Kent

Honda Racing Team stars Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden head to Brands Hatch this weekend aiming to seal the 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.

Both Honda Civic racers are in the final showdown to secure the prestigious crown. Neal heads into the three races just 17 points behind Plato, while Shedden is four points behind his team-mate. There are 52 points up for grabs at Brands Hatch.

“It is all to play for,” said Neal, who has won the title on two previous occasions. “There is no pressure on me this weekend because I am going to do my usual job. I am going out there to win the races, and the rest of it can take care of itself. It is a good position to be in; I would rather be the hunter than the hunted.”

“The Civic has really good handling and that is exactly what I am going to need at Brands Hatch. It is a tight and twisty circuit where the cars always stay close together and everyone’s going to be looking for the smallest edge. The Civic will be the perfect car in those conditions, and the rest is up to me. I will be giving it everything.”

Neal has already taken five wins in the championship this season and can become the most winning driver of the year if he adds to that tally.

Shedden is third in the standings and it is the first time that the Scotsman has been in the showdown for the tin-top title. The Fife flyer says that his approach will be the same as Neal’s and he has promised all-out attack.

“Honda has already wrapped up the Manufacturers’ title, so Brands Hatch is going to be all about the drivers,” said Shedden. “That’s great because it means we can go flat out for wins. Although I haven’t been in this position before I feel very relaxed about it and I know that it is down to my performances on the day.”

“I know that I need to win at least one of the races to be in with a chance of the title, so that will be my initial aim. After that, it depends on what happens to the others. The Civic is going to be one of the fastest cars at Brands Hatch but the racing there is always so close that it is going to be very hard to call. I am not going to give up on the title until it is mathematically impossible. All the time there is a chance, I will be giving it full throttle to keep the dream alive.”

British Touring Car Championship standings (after 27/30 rounds):

1. Jason Plato, Racing Silverline, Chevrolet Lacetti (224)
2. Matt Neal, Honda Racing Team, Honda Civic (207)
3. Gordon Shedden, Honda Racing Team, Honda Civic (203)
4. Tom Onslow-Cole, Team Aon, Ford Focus ST (200)

Rounds 25-27, Donington Park, Leicestershire

• Shedden wins round 25
• Neal wins round 27
• Honda wins Manufacturers' Championship

Honda Racing Team stars Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden have closed in on the lead of the 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship by taking a win apiece at Donington Park on Sunday. Honda has won the BTCC manufacturers' championship, beating rival Chevrolet.

The Derbyshire venue was the scene for the penultimate round of this season's contest and Shedden powered his Civic to victory in race one and a second position in race two to notch the highest points score of any driver over the weekend. Neal rounded off a superb weekend for the Civic drivers by dominating the final encounter. The results mean that Neal is in second place in the points going into the season's showdown at Brands Hatch in three weeks time (October 9/10) and Shedden is tucked four points further back in third place.

Matt Neal said the weekend's performance was a credit to the handling of his Honda. The 43-year-old explained: “The Civic was a fantastic car today and we've been able to turn up the pressure in the race for the championship. I was slightly disappointed with what happened at the start of the second event because I honestly believe we would have been in a position to win that race but these things happen in motor racing. There was a small problem with my clutch and I couldn't help but creep forward and got a jumped start penalty. Nevertheless, we have managed to cut the gap to the leader in the points and that's what we set out to do. It will be gloves off at Brands Hatch now – I am the one doing the chasing so the pressure is going to be on everyone else.”

There was more joy for Neal's sister car of 'Flash' Gordon Shedden. The 31-year-old was the most successful racer of the weekend with two podiums in the opening two races and he added to his tally with a battling top ten finish in the final race of the weekend. “I am delighted,” said Shedden. “We know the Civic is a good car around Donington Park so this was a golden opportunity to capitalise on that and I was able to. I had to fight hard to get to the front in the opening race and then I used my head to hang on to second place in race two. I am right in the mix for the title for the first time so I am pleased about that. Anything could happen at Brands Hatch but we at the Honda Racing Team will be doing absolutely everything we can to make it work for us.”

In the Manufacturers' Championship, Honda is 90 points ahead of Chevrolet with three races remaining at Brands Hatch and cannot be caught.

Matt Neal said “Winning the manufacturers' title underlines what a great racing car the Civic is. We haven't had to chuck the huge amount of money at the programme that some of our rivals have been able to, and we haven't had access to a twin programme in the world championship either. For us, this has been a highly efficient programme, concentrating on the Civic's strengths and proving that the Civic is one of the best handling cars out there. Now all we need to do to cap an incredible season is claim the drivers' title too...”

Team Dynamics principal Steve Neal said “We are absolutely delighted with this result and it is a clear reflection on the strengths of the Civic in all conditions and the strength of our drivers, Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden. Chevrolet and its lead driver Jason Plato are tough opponents to beat, but we respect what they have achieved and I hope they respect what we have done. We were dominant in the first half of the season and then the others caught up a bit, but we didn't rest on our laurels. We pushed the programme forward and constantly developed the Civic to put ourselves back at the head of the pack. To earn silverware at the end of the season is a credit to everyone involved: the team, Honda itself and the driver pairing we have.”

British Touring Car Championship standings (after 27/30 rounds):

1. Jason Plato, Racing Silverline, Chevrolet Lacetti (224)
2. Matt Neal, Honda Racing Team, Honda Civic (207)
3. Gordon Shedden, Honda Racing Team, Honda Civic (203)
4. Tom Onslow-Cole, Team Aon, Ford Focus ST (200)

Rounds 25-27, Donington Park, Leicestershire

Both Honda Racing Team aces Matt Neal and Gordon Shedden are predicting a no holds barred scrap for points in the 2010 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship when the action moves to Donington Park this weekend. Neal and Shedden are in the thick of the hunt for this season's spoils and know that Sunday's three races in Leicestershire will be crucial to the title run-in.

Neal, 43, is currently second in the standings and he says that he will be absolutely flat out around the sweeps of the historic track. “I have got to grab every opportunity that comes my way, so there will be no backing off,” he says. “Donington Park will be a great leveller – I am not expecting anyone to have a dominant weekend and the track has plenty of overtaking areas. That means the racing is close and, with it being a critical stage of the season, it will be every man for themselves.”

“The Civic has a particularly strong chassis and that helps around the long, long corners at Donington Park. We need to work on making the most out of that to give us enough in hand to fend off the rest. But this season has been so competitive that finding an edge is virtually impossible.”

Neal says that a big points tally over the three races will be vital to keep the heat on the points leader (Jason Plato) going in to the last three races at Brands Hatch in October. “The pressure's not on me,” says Neal. “It is on the guy leading the points. He has got something to protect but the only option for me is to go on full attack from the word go and that is an interesting position to be in. It will be an all-action weekend.”

Teammate Gordon 'Flash' Shedden is in Neal's slipstream in the points and also thinks that the action at Donington Park is going to be spectacular. He is fourth in the standings but is tantalisingly close to his first overall title. He has also promised to go for broke at Donington. “It's reaching a climax now and none of the top drivers can afford a bad weekend,” explains the Scottish racer. “The Honda has traditionally gone well at Donington Park and that means we are fairly confident going there, but there's little to choose between anyone.”

“There are more than 50 points up for grabs over three races and that means the balance of power for the title chase could look hugely different after this weekend. I am in a great car, it is a great circuit and so we have the ingredients we need for a big points haul this weekend.”

Shedden also says that team glory is on the agenda this season and the races at Donington could prove a vital step towards securing silverware. The BTCC operates a championship for the different marques in the contest and Honda is leading both the constructors and teams' championships. “Honda is sitting pretty in the teams and makes points too, and that is on our minds,” said Shedden. “If we can take a major step towards those titles after Donington Park then that would be a huge target achieved. It is a crucial weekend all round.”

Off the track, the penultimate Question of Motorsport quiz takes place at Lookers Honda in Nottingham. Flash is currently one up on Neal in this fiercely competitive fight to be crowned 'King of Motorsport Knowledge'! For all the details, go to http://www.honda.co.uk/cars/btcc/question/.

British Touring Car Championship standings (after 24/30 rounds):

1. Jason Plato, Racing Silverline, Chevrolet Lacetti (202)
2. Matt Neal, Honda Racing Team, Honda Civic (182)
3. Tom Onslow-Cole, Team Aon, Ford Focus ST (178)
4. Gordon Shedden, Honda Racing Team, Honda Civic (169)

Rounds 22-24, Knockhill, Fife

Honda Racing team star Matt Neal has thrust himself right back into the title fight for this season's Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship after a win and a third place finish at Knockhill in Scotland on Sunday.

The 43-year-old has moved into second place in the standings after the rounds in Fife and is optimistic of reaching the title summit in the remaining six rounds of this season's competition, which continues at Donington Park on September 18/19. Neal carried a full load of success ballast to notch a fourth place finish in race one. He then took his fourth victory of the year in race two before he battled to third place in the final event of the weekend. It meant he outscored all his rivals over the three events and has edged closer to the top of the chase for the coveted crown.

“It has been a great weekend for the Honda Racing Team because not only did I manage to take a race win but we have also moved to the top of the Manufacturers' Standings, which is important for the team as a whole and shows what a great job everyone's been doing,” said Neal. “In the Drivers' Standings, the whole situation has closed up which is what we wanted to achieve.”

“The Honda has been a fantastic car for the confines of Knockhill, which is small and hilly. The handling of the Civic has always been a great strength and that meant I was able to capitalise when I had open road. When I got the lead of race two, the car just got better and better.”

There was further glory for Neal's partner in the Honda Racing Team stable, Gordon Shedden. The local fans' favourite thrilled a packed crowd by scorching to victory in the opening race of the weekend and then followed Neal across the line in the second race to take more silverware. Those two results, plus a ninth place in the final round after he had been punted off circuit by a rival, have consolidated Shedden's fourth place in the points race.

Shedden said afterwards: “We knew that this would be a chance for us to score some big points and that is the way I thought it was going to go. I was taken out by someone else in a stupid accident in the third race but managed to salvage something to build on the two podiums I scored earlier in the day. I could have had even more points out of the weekend than I did but to win in front of my home fans is always special.”

Both Neal and Shedden are optimistic as the title race moves in to its final stages, and team principal Steve Neal thinks that there are more strong showings on the horizon at Donington Park in two weeks' time. “The momentum has swung back in our direction,” said Steve Neal. “We needed to score some big points here at Knockhill and we won two of the three races, so we have done what we set out to do. Donington Park is another circuit that plays to the strengths of our car. Things are looking good.”

British Touring Car Championship standings (after 24/30 rounds):

1. Jason Plato, Racing Silverline, Chevrolet Lacetti (202)
2. Matt Neal, Honda Racing Team, Honda Civic (182)
3. Tom Onslow-Cole, Team Aon, Ford Focus ST
4. Gordon Shedden, Honda Racing Team, Honda Civic (169)