Honda Racing took first and second places and the manufacturers’ award in round nine of the British Touring Car Championship at Rockingham circuit in Northampton. Matt Neal was the winner after a race-long battle with his team-mate Alan Morrison who had started the race in pole position. The Honda Civic Type R of Tom Chilton came home fourth after battling his way through the pack.

Neal took the early advantage with an excellent start that put him out in front straight away but Morrison was hot on his heels and kept the pressure on throughout the action-packed race. The two Honda Civic Type Rs were at times no more than 0.2 seconds apart as they constantly battled for the lead and by the end of the race they had opened a gap of over 21 seconds from the third placed Vauxhall Astra of Yvan Muller, despite the appearance of the safety car.

Tom Chilton also had an excellent drive and took fourth place in spite of an early mistake, which put him back into fourteenth. The 18-year-old from Surrey braked late going into the first corner and ran wide but fought his way back through the field making up ten places to secure his fourth place finish.

Matt Neal: “I’m delighted to have my second win of the season but it didn’t come easy. I got a good start but Alan was on me all the way – we were just inches apart after our pit stops. We were together all the way through the race and it was only during the last few laps, after there had been oil on the track, that I seemed to get an advantage. It’s a fantastic result for Honda Racing to have got first, second and fourth places – that’s the most important thing. “

Alan Morrison: “I’m really pleased for Matt and delighted with the one, two finish. Matt had an excellent start and really the race was won from there. It’s great for Honda Racing to have all three cars in the top four – now let’s see what happens in the second race.”

Tom Chilton: “I’m just happy for the boys and for the team. I’m glad I was able to redeem myself after the mistake I made at the start of the race and work my way through the field to finish fourth. It would have been fantastic if we could have taken the top three places so let’s see what happens in race two. I’m happy to have a second row start for the second race and I definitely won’t be making the same mistake again.”