In sixth place, the first of the ballast free drivers is a guy who has competed in every BTCC Campaign during the last 10 years, was known as the 'People's Champion' once he had taken his first title and who has competed in 405 BTCC races to date. It's the son of Team Dynamics team principle Steve Neal, Matt Neal. Matt recieved 26 votes for 6th place.
Matt, back in 1999, became the first independent driver to win an outright BTCC race and has taken that on into the last decade.
Matt only drove 2 races in 2001, but returned in 2002 with Vauxhall's Egg: Sport squad finishing 3rd overall with 3 race wins before a change to Honda and the Civic Type R, where Matt finished 3rd again and took 5 wins.
In 2004 Matt returned to his family run team, and with Dan Eaves and a new sponsor, Team Halfords. Matt took 3 wins en route to 5th, and in 2005, the team introduced the new Honda Integra. Matt went on to take his first BTCC Crown in 2005, with 6 wins before taking 8 wins in 2006, and successfully retained his crown.
2007 saw the switch to the S2000 regulations which meant a brand new car, the Honda Civic. With limited testing, not much was expected in the opening round, yet Matt took the race 3 win on the cars debut. This was to be Matt's only win as he finished the season fourth.
2008 saw the switch to Vauxhall alongside Fabrizio Giovanardi. Matt went to take 1 win in 2008, as he struggled with the Vectra. Matt's finest moment of 2008 – Rockingham, the third race. Matt started 11th on the grid, and used the Vectra's superior wet weather prowess to take a comfortable win at the chequered flag. Matt went on to finish 5th, before taking overall 4th.
In 2009, Vauxhalls final year, Matt took one win during the season, the opening round at Brands Hatch. Matt led the Championship up until Croft, but slipped down to 5th before taking 4th back at Brands Hatch in the finale.
