Neal geared up to stretch advantage at Rockingham (From Worcester News)

Neal geared up to stretch advantage at Rockingham

2:00pm Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Sport By Steve Carley, @stevecarleyWN

THE British Touring Car Championship heads to Rockingham this weekend with leader Matt Neal looking to extend his advantage.

Worcestershire race ace Neal, bidding for a fourth title, arrives at the Northamptonshire track with a 10-point cushion over Honda Yuasa Racing team-mate Gordon Shedden.

With Jason Plato a further 26 points adrift, the Pershore team’s pair can strengthen their grip on the championship going into the final two meetings next month.

Neal, aged 45, managed one podium place at Knockhill last month, while Shedden took two thirds.

Shenstone-based Neal’s last win at Rockingham came in 2010 when he triumphed in two of the three races.

Pershore rivals Rob Austin Racing return to the grid at Rockingham after sitting out the Knockhill round because of a lack of funding.

They will be boosted by having both Audi A4s in action as Will Bratt makes his first appearance alongside Rob Austin since the Croft meeting in June.

Austin said: “When we found ourselves without enough money to go to Knockhill, we could have just given up.

“Instead, we have put everything we had left into the cars and called on our fans to support our Rockingham effort.

“I believe Will and I will now have the tools we need to finally get that first win.”