DROITWICH'S Matt Neal is expecting a tight British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) encounter at his "local track".
The 41-year-old races for VX Racing at Donington Park in rounds seven, eight and nine this weekend.
The 1.96 miles of Leicestershire circuit always provides thrilling action and last year the torrential wet conditions did not play favourably.
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advertisementHowever, Neal's new team, who has already scored three victories from six races this season, are confident of adding to their points tally in the manufacturers' title fight.
Three weeks ago at Rockingham, the double ex-BTCC champion scored a fine victory in the wet and has every intention of adding more points to his challenge.
Neal said: "Donington is a great track and the Vectra VXR is a strong car.
"However, this weekend is not going to be easy. Expect really close racing and we will truly have to fight for every point.
"I class Donington Park as my local track. I have a lot of fond memories and this is where I won my first ever BTCC race, as well as clinching my first BTCC title, so fingers crossed for more success come Sunday."
Vauxhall's 2007 BTCC champion Fabrizio Giovanardi, who hails from Italy, is currently first in the drivers' championship with 63 points.
Team-mates Neal and Surrey-born Tom Onslow-Cole have a credible 47 points and 20 points respectively after six of this season's 30 races.
Pershore-based Team Halfords, Neal's former team, will have Dorset-based Tom Chilton and Gordon Shedden racing.
They are currently second behind VX Racing in the manufacturers' championship.
Scottish driver Shedden claimed a first place at Rockingham and will be looking to build on that in his Honda Civic.
After Donington Park, the BTCC heads to Thruxton, Hampshire, on May 18.
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