Matt Neal and Alan Morrison will be renewing their battle for a top three position overall in the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend. The Honda Racing drivers are separated by only 17 points with six races remaining in this season’s title chase.

Neal currently holds the upper hand after winning the last round at Snetterton. However, Morrison remains sixth in the points table despite retiring from a comfortable lead in the closing stages of the first race at the Norfolk circuit. Sandwiched between the two Civic Type Rs are Paul O’Neill and Antony Reid, with close racing expected between the four drivers as the season reaches an exciting climax.

Championship leader Yvan Muller may have recorded five race wins, but Neal is breathing down his neck with four victories. The 26-year-old Worcestershire driver has won races at Brands Hatch, Rockingham and Croft as well as Snetterton. Morrison may not have broken his duck for 2003, but he has demonstrated the speed of the Honda Racing Civic Type R. The 32-year-old Ulsterman has recorded four podium finishes to date – one less than his team-mate.

The third Honda Racing driver Tom Chilton has made good progress throughout the season and currently lies seventh in the championship. The 18-year-old Surrey driver showed maturity beyond his years to set the third fastest time in qualifying at Snetterton. He is now determined to improve on his one podium position of the year which he achieved in the second round at Mondello Park.

Matt Neal: “After winning the last round at Snetterton we’ll be carrying extra weight at Brands Hatch. This will be a disadvantage over the undulating Indy Circuit, but we’ll be working hard in free practice to minimise this for qualifying and the first race. A good position on the grid and a fast start are critical for the run up to Paddock Hill Bend on the first lap. However, it’s our second race of the year at Brands and I won there last time, so I’m confident of a repeat of that success.”

Alan Morrison: “The Indy Circuit is fantastic at Brands Hatch and the atmosphere should be really good with a big crowd on Bank Holiday Monday. I’m determined to put the recent bad luck that I’ve had to endure behind me and concentrate on pursuing my first win of the year. I was so close at Snetterton in race one, but the way I drove after that has given me confidence for this weekend. However, it’s going to be difficult to build up speed on such a tight and twisty circuit carrying that extra weight.”

Tom Chilton: “I’m really looking forward to Brands Hatch over the weekend. It’s my home circuit and I’m determined to do well this time after a qualifying crash ruled me out of the races earlier this year. I’m hoping to be on the podium again with the continual improvement that I’ve shown throughout the season. My Civic Type R will be the lightest for qualifying and race one, so I aim to use this to my advantage and repay Honda Racing for the faith that they have shown in me this season.”