700 up and Matt’s still going strong

But British Touring Car legend Matt Neal says his love for the sport is as strong as ever after he took to the track for his 700th competitive race at Oulton Park on Sunday.

The Stourbridge driver had his Honda Civic Type R FK8 emblazoned with the #700 number while he sat behind the wheel in Chester.

And he looked set to to enjoy another successful weekend after finishing fourth in qualifying.

But unfortunately things then didn’t go to plan for the 53-year-old.

Mechanical issues ensured he was not classified in races one and three, while he finished race two sat in 13th position, leaving him 13th in the overall standings.

But while things didn’t quite go to plan this weekend, Neal is still thoroughly enjoying being on the track almost 30 years after he made his debut at Silverstone in 1991.

“It’s gone ever so quick – too quick in fact,” Neal said when asked how it feels to have contested 700 races.

“I haven’t been counting numbers or counting races or years. It makes me feel old. The fire still burns ferociously inside of me and the quality of the field is strong and that makes you get on with it.

“I’m just going to keep enjoying it.

“But I’d like to think there will be a couple more wins in me yet.”

In 2005, Neal became the first driver to win a championship title in a Honda.

He won the overall championship again in 2006 and 2011 and also has a record six independent titles to his name.

But his favourite race will always be his first.

“My first team-mate was Frank Sytner – fearless Frank – and I just wanted to do the best I could,” he added.

“When I had my first race I was the only driver under 30, that shows how things have changed. But that first one is like you first kiss. It was a special day, a surreal day. The next morning you wake up and think what’s now, what’s next?”