Honda not worried missing Snetterton BTCC test will hurt title bid

Honda/Team Dynamics currently leads both the manufacturers' and teams' tables, while Matt Neal is 19 points clear in the drivers' championship.

Most BTCC squads will be at Snetterton this week, but Honda will not be present.

Instead, it will test at the Norfolk venue later in the month, ahead of the BTCC race meeting there on August 3-4.

Dynamics boss Steve Neal confirmed organisers had agreed to waive the rule that prevents BTCC teams testing at a venue 30 days before a race there.

"It's mainly a time issue," he told AUTOSPORT. "It clashes with the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which isn't ideal.

"Our technical director Barry Plowman is on holiday too, so it's just not convenient.

"When we heard [Ciceley Racing Toyota driver] Adam Morgan had dispensation to test at Snetterton on July 24 we applied and got dispensation too."

Neal believes not testing at the same time as the other teams could even help Honda.

"If it's not going to be as hot for the race meeting, which it may not be, what are you going to gain?" he said.

"Test days with the mob are not good because it brings in a competitive element, which is not what you want. I want them to focus on set-up and testing."