News: BTCC Champion Matt Neal Tests Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore V8 Supercar

Two-time British Touring Car Champion Matt Neal has tested a Commodore V8 Supercar for leading Holden team, Supercheap Auto Racing at Queensland Raceway today.

Winner of the 2005 and '06 BTCC titles, Neal drove Russell Ingall's Commodore describing the latest generation V8 as "a proper race car".

"It was fantastic, I really enjoyed my time behind the wheel of Russell's Supercheap Auto Commodore - it's really a proper race car," Neal said.

The 41-year-old, who drives Vectras for the factory Vauxhall VX Racing team in the BTCC, already has extensive Australian experience, having three times raced at Mount Panorama, Bathurst.

He finished second in the 2 litre Super Touring 1000km race in 1998, and 12th in the V8 Supercar 1000 two years later driving with Supercheap Auto Racing team owner Paul Morris.

He also contested a V8 sprint round for Morris at Oran Park in Sydney in 2001, writing off a brand new car.

"Last time I was here I really didn't crown myself in glory and I didn't think I would get another opportunity to come back," he said.

"When Paul rang it was great, I thought 'fantastic, I get to have another crack at a V8 Supercar', and I jumped at the chance."

Neal said the latest generation V8s had advanced considerably since he last drove a Supercar seven years ago.

"They've now got a sequential gearbox, the chassis are stiffer and they've got loads more grip - they've really taken another step."

Neal will drive for the team at next month's inaugural L&H500 endurance race at Phillip Island and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama in October.

The 41-year-old will be partnered by American NASCAR road racing specialist Boris Said, with Ingall and Morris pairing together in the lead Supercheap Auto Commodore. 

"I've never met Boris; I've seen pictures of him, that's about it. He looks like a pretty wild guy, but you just need to look at his CV and you can see he is a pretty handy peddler."