Matt Neal secures his 60th BTCC win in race one at Thruxton

Team Dynamics Honda Civic Type R driver Neal, who started from his first pole position for five years, powered clear of his team-mate Gordon Shedden, who was carrying the maximum 75kg of success ballast into the meeting, to control the gap to his rival throughout the race.

Shedden had levelled with the sister car going into the Complex on the opening lap, but Neal held his position.

The victory puts Neal equal with four-time champion Andy Rouse in the overall race winners table. Jason Plato heads the way with 95 triumphs.

Neal said: "I hadn't thought about it being 60. We thought Andy's figure was unachievable and then Jason did it and now us. It is unreal.

"The car is suited to the circuit - it always has been - but that means we set ourselves up to be shot down.

"But to bring the car home first is a great feeling, particularly with Gordon behind me. The car was good all the way through, but it means I have full ballast for race two so we are going to have to rethink things."

Shedden added that he was pleased with his points tally. The Scotsman said: "I had a better start and we were level going in to Turn Two, but he had a lighter car and I knew he would be quicker, so I didn't do anything silly.

"I am chuffed we have a 1-2 for Honda though."

Behind the two factory-blessed Hondas, the Eurotech Racing Civic of Jack Goff took third place. He was forced into a rear-guard action over the closing stages after having been delayed by an errant backmarker in front of him.

Championship leader Tom Ingram (Speedworks Toyota Avensis) was in Goff's mirrors over the last two laps but was only just unable to make a challenge on the last lap.

The Ciceley Racing Mercedes-Benz A-Class driver Adam Morgan fought ahead of fifth placed qualifier Rob Austin on lap five as the Handy Motorsport Avensis struggled for grip.

Ash Sutton (Team BMR Subaru) also passed the ailing Avensis, which eventually fell to ninth, on the sixth lap.

Colin Turkington was the leading WSR BMW 125i, climbing from 10^th on the grid to seventh with a superbly optimistic move on the battling Austin and Mat Jackson (Motorbase Performance Ford Focus) on lap eight.

Rounding out the top 10 was Rob Collard (WSR BMW), who had started in 18^th position.

RESULT - 16 LAPS: