MATT Neal is looking forward to his next British Touring Car Championship assignment on Sunday, June 4.

The reigning champion extended his competition lead from two to 14 points in the last meeting at Oulton Park, Cheshire, after one race win out of three.

Now the Droitwich Spa driver, who races for Team Halfords Honda, gears up for the super-fast Thruxton circuit in Hampshire although he has never won at the track.

Neal could count himself fortunate at Oulton after struggling in qualifying before problems for his rivals, SEAT team-mates Jason Plato and James Thompson as well as Team RAC's Colin Turkington, played into his hands.

He said: "After qualifying I thought I'd be kissing goodbye to the championship lead, but everyone else's misfortune was my gain.

"Looking ahead to Thruxton, I love that circuit because it's the fastest on the calendar and requires a lot of bravery, but it's also a circuit where I've never won.

"Despite what it says, SEAT's cars are clearly very fast in a straight line and they'll be strong there and Turkington has shown again how fast his MG is.

"I'd sooner have a 14-point lead than be chasing the leaders, but this is going to be a very long season."

Neal and Team Halfords overtook Turkington and Team RAC to take command of the Independents Trophy's Drivers' and Teams' championships.