Knockhill BTCC: Neal sneaks through for Race 2 win in epic battle

Team BMR Subaru driver Plato seemed set to take his second win in as many races after the 48-year-old put on a defensive master class during the race, fighting off the attacks of West Surrey Racing drivers Goff and Tordoff as well as Subaru teammate Turkington during the first 25 laps.

The safety car was out at the end of the first lap after the Eurotech Honda of Martin Depper crashed out at Duffus Dip, and with Team BMR’s Warren Scott also spun out by Team BKR’s Mark Howard at Butcher’s, with both cars requiring rescue.

When the race resumed, Plato was intially forced to fight off Goff’s BMW and Turkington’s Subaru while championship leader Tordoff was picking his way forward after dropping down at the start.

Tordoff was up to fourth by the end of lap five and soon joined the race leading trio. Turkington passed Goff’s BMW at Clark’s and then set about fighting his teammate for the lead of the race, while Goff allowed his teammate Tordoff through a lap later.

Tordoff then overtook Turkington for second position on the straight, but the Northern Irishman got the position back a lap later with his favoured move down the inside at the final hairpin.

The Turkington, Tordoff and Plato battle continued on, with Goff keeping a watchful brief. Tordoff retook second from Turkington on lap 19 while the top four continued to slow each other down, allowing the soft tyre-shod Neal to close in.

Turkington and Goff both slid out wide at the final turn on lap 22 as the Subaru driver tried to hold back the BMW, allowing Neal through into the final podium spot.

Three laps later and Neal made his move on Tordoff for second at the start of lap 25, and wasted no time catching and passing Plato at the hairpin, whose tyres were now well past their best after defending for the whole race, with the Subaru driver also dropping behind Tordoff to finish third.

Neal’s win moves him to within three points of Tordoff in the drivers’ championship, while Rob Collard remains third, 15 points behind in the standings after putting on an impressive drive of his own, climbing from 17th to fifth in the race.

The final race of the day will see Mat Jackson on pole in the Motorbase Ford with the top six reversed, starting ahead of the BMW of Collard and the Subaru of Turkington.

Race 2 results - Top 10:

Neil Hudson / TouringCarTimes