LEADER Matt Neal was thrilled with his first victory at the Thruxton track in a great day for Team Halfords.

The MSA British Touring Car Championship holder from Droitwich Spa claimed a win and two second places from the three races at the Hampshire circuit.

Team Halfords colleague Gordon Shedden also tasted success as did Team RAC's Colin Turkington who is now a mighty 33 points behind Neal in the drivers' championship.

The title chase now heads to the Croft circuit in North Yorkshire on July 16.

Neal said: "If anyone had told me what results I was going to have over breakfast I'd have called them a liar.

"The day has just been awesome, not just for me but Gordon and everyone who works in this team.

"You need a bit of luck and I got some, but that's taking nothing away from the team who got our cars working perfectly on what is a very difficult circuit.

"Thruxton's never really been kind to me before but now I love it!"

But it was a frustrating day for Jason Plato, the SEAT driver, who suffered two retirements.

But Plato managed to finish third in the final race, a result that moves him past regular team-mate James Thompson, who was not racing at Thruxton, into third in the standings.

Thompson is now fourth and will return to BTCC action at his home circuit of Croft but will arrive there with Shedden close behind in fifth.

Turkington said: "It's a shame to have lost ground to Matt, but we've ended on a high and it's great to give Team RAC it's first win of 2006."

Plato, meanwhile, refused to believe Neal was already too far ahead to be caught.

The 2001 champion said: "Matt's got himself a decent lead and my two retirements were a blow, but we're still only 12 rounds in and there's plenty of time for things to change round."

Leading BTCC points: Neal 131 points; Turkington 98; Plato 86; Thompson 77; Shedden 76.

Manufacturers: SEAT 246; Vauxhall 212; Teams: Team Halfords 196; SEAT Sport UK 169; Team RAC 145; VX Racing 134.