Neal pips Shedden

Matt Neal was crowned 2011 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car champion after a thrilling final round of the British Touring Car Championship at Silverstone.

The title was decided in the third and final race of the day in a showdown between Honda Racing team-mates Neal and Gordon Shedden. Neal took a six point advantage over Shedden into the final race after the duo finished first and second in race one before switching finishing positions in the second drive to set up the championship decider.

An eighth place finish was enough to hand the title to Neal, who came home two places above Shedden, the only man who could have beaten him to the championship. Jason Plato ended his title defence when he failed to finish race one with a puncture and fought his way from 20th on the grid to come seventh in race two.

Neal, who was British Touring Car champion in 2005 and 2006, praised Honda and his team-mate for their quality throughout the season. “It’s going to take some sinking in,” he said. “I’m overwhelmed - I never thought I’d win it once in my life and now it’s three. If it had gone Gordon’s way I’d have been disappointed for me but over the moon for him. I have to say he is the ultimate team-mate.”

Neal claimed the title with 257 points ahead of Shedden in second with 249 and Plato third with 236.