Racing is in the blood of Matt Neal – his father drove touring cars in the 1960s. Matt's first ambition was to be a racing driver and he had fulfilled his dream by the age of 21.

Having raced carts during his childhood, Matt left school at 17 and tried his hand at Moto-Cross for four years. However, a succession of broken bones forced him to turn his attentions to four wheels and he was racing Ford Fiestas by 1988.

Now aged 35, he has been racing for 14 years and has competed around Europe, Australia and Africa. He lives in Hanbury, Worcestershire.

Employment

“Most people hope to one day convert their hobby into a job,” said Matt. “But my hobby has always been my job. I listen to my friends talking about their work and then realise that I've been doing a dream job for 14 years.”

Health/Diet/Fitness

Injuries have taken their toll on Matt from his early days on motorbikes to high-speed crashes in touring cars. Arms, legs, nose and collarbones have all been damaged over the years.

“I find that my body is very stiff when I wake up in the morning, particularly after a race,” said Matt, who is 6-foot-6. “I'm strapped into my seat very tightly so that puts pressure on my body. I tend to go to the gym between 6am and 7am and then do a lot of stretching to work out the stiffness.

“I sometimes employ a personal trainer when I feel I need one. I'm very lucky in that I'm naturally quite fit and I don't have to watch my diet too much. When a race is approaching, I make sure I get plenty of fluids on board. On the day of a race, I probably won't eat at all – I think it's better to drive hungry or else I feel lethargic.”

Travel

“If I could go anywhere tomorrow then it would be the Maldives,” said Matt. “It's a great place to relax and just switch off. I'm also a big fan of the States, although I've never raced there.”

Internet

Matt maintains his own site ( www.mattneal.com ) and is a regular visitor to the motor sport chatrooms. “I tend to use the Internet for very specific reasons,” he said. “I don't surf. I go on to bank or research something.”

Highs

“In 1999, I was the first privateer (someone funding their own team) in British Touring Cars to win outright and I won £250,000 for doing so,” he said. “That was a tremendous achievement and something I am very proud of. The money went straight back into the team – after all, they had kept me racing for so many years. I also competed in a 1000 km race in Australia in 1998 and came second in its closest ever finish.”

Lows

“In 1994, I had my first works drive with Mazda but that ended after an accident,” said Matt.

Relaxing

“I spend time with my children – I have two twin boys,” said Matt, who also plays computer games to let off steam.

The Unusual

“I'm quite superstitious. If I see a hay lorry on the motorway then I make a wish,” he said. “That's just something I was taught to do from childhood. I always prepare for a race in the same way – I get into the car in a certain way, do things in a certain order and I never vary that routine.”

Motor racing has been at the forefront of my mind since a tender age as my Dad raced at circuits around the UK in a 1938 MGTA. The series often accompanied the British Touring Car Championship and as soon as I set eyes upon that, my sights were set!

Karting was where I started my career at local circuits around the Midlands, soon followed by racing cars in the ‘Halfords MG Midget' championship.

Having raced for some 15 years I have experienced many interesting situations and met some fascinating people.

Employment

I love cars and I love racing, so putting the two together and forging a career out of it has got to be a bonus. It's a lot harder work than I thought it would be, but when race victories come along, it makes them all the sweeter.

Health/Diet/Fitness
I'm a naturally fit person, so I don't have to do too much to keep trim. Swimming is the best sport for me to keep fit and I try to do this 2 or 3 times a week.

I don't usually adjust my diet for the race season as I eat quite healthily all the time anyway, although the odd kebab and fish and chips often does sneak onto the menu from time to time!

During race weekends I just drink a lot of water and Isotonic drinks to keep up fluid and mineral levels for energy.

Travel
I have never been a keen traveller as I love England more than anywhere. I enjoy the coast and the sea, I spend a lot of time in Devon and Cornwall as I think there are few places more beautiful.

I live in the Cotswold hills, people come from all over the world to visit the area for it's beauty, I need no reason to get away.

Highs
1998 was my biggest year to date when I raced in the Renault UK Spider championship. I had the final 2 races to go at Oulton Park and Silverstone. To win the championship I had to get both pole positions, both fastest laps and both race wins.

I did it, best feeling ever.

Lows
None

Relaxing
In my spare time I have many hobbies, the most relaxing of which is playing golf, (unless I'm not playing well) also I like to get down to the coast to surf, windsurf or do some sailing.

Also, I like to go fishing either in the sea or at some local lakes or rivers.

When I get the time I also like to spend time gardening, but socialising with my mates is big on the agenda!

Career highlights:

2003 BTCC with Team Halfords, Peugeot 307 run by VLR. A brand new car proved difficult to set up, and it was only from Croft onwards that Dan was able to show his pace. 2 class wins propelled him to 4th in the Independents' Cup.

2002 BTCC Independents' Cup Winner - Peugeot 406 run by VLR under the Team Halfords brand.

2001 BTCC - Peugeot 406 - 5th

2000 National Saloon Car Championship - 4th

1999 National Saloon Car Championship - 4th; Asia Touring Car Challenge Race (China) - winner

1998 Renault Spider Cup - Champion; Williams touring car test

1995 Caterham K Series Championship - 2nd

1994 Halfords MG Midget Challenge - 3rd

the story so far…

Jonny Milner is one of the most gifted rally drivers in the UK, and one of the most popular with the media and fans too. Having caught the eye of legendary Peugeot talent spotter Des O’ Dell at a tender age, the Yorkshire ace has always been one of the quickest drivers within the UK, despite not receiving the best of luck at times. His achievements so far include British Junior Rally Champion, Shell Rally Scholarship winner and British Rallycross Champion.
Recently, Jonny has formed a strong alliance with Toyota. He starred as one of the fastest competitors in the 2000 British Rally Championship, producing a number of gritty performances in a showroom class Toyota Celica, against superior machinery.
With the 2001 series cancelled due to concerns regarding the Foot and Mouth outbreak in the UK, 2002 sees Jonny return to action in a latest specification Toyota Corolla World Rally Car (WRC). The step up to a “World Rally Car “ level vehicle finally offers Jonny the chance to show his undoubted ability at the top level.

Nick Beech - the story so far...

Nicky was first introduced to rallying by his father who took him to watch the start of the 1981 Lombard RAC Rally at the age of 12. Since then, Nicky has been competing as a co-driver on a regular basis, progressing from local Welsh championship road rallies to winning the Manx International Rally in 1997 partnering Martin Rowe in a 'works' Renault Maxi Megane.
Originally from North Wales, Nicky now lives in Oxfordshire and works as a Consultant Engineer in the water industry. Nicky enjoys playing football, running and mountain biking.
Nicky first teamed up with Jonny for the 1998 British Rally Championship and the partnership i mmediately resulted in 3rd overall on the Rally of Wales. Since then, Nicky and Jonny have become a formidable team and have been regular front runners in the Group N category of the British Rally Championship ever since.
During his career, Nicky has also co-driven for Brendan Crealey, Ashley Blenkhorn, Jimmy McRae, Dominic Buckley Jnr., Jorgan Jonnasson, Martin Rowe, Max McKillan, and Richard Tuthill.