Neal surprised by Brands pole

The Vauxhall driver's first pole since the Mondello Park round in 2006 came after he broke the eight-year-old qualifying record at the circuit and beat team-mate Fabrizio Giovanardi by 0.020 seconds.

But, after being edged out by Giovanardi in pre-season testing, and beaten by Motorbase BMW driver Rob Collard in practice, Neal said pole was unexpected.

"He [Giovanardi] always pulls a rabbit out of the hat, and in all the pre-season testing he's had me by a tenth or two, so I was expecting it to be him on pole," Neal told AUTOSPORT.

"Actually, I was expecting more out of the BMWs too. We just decided to sit in the pits for the final few minutes and save the tyres for the races. I was waiting to go out on track and do another lap, because I was convinced they [the BMWs] were going to do us. They didn't, though."

Neal remains wary of the threat posed by the second row BMWs of Collard and Colin Turkington off the start line, with the rear-wheel drive machines likely to have a traction advantage over the front-wheel drive Vectras filling the front row.

"Colin can get that thing off the line very quickly, and so can Rob," Neal added. "It ain't over yet by a long shot, and if they can get us at the start, then it will be very difficult for us to get them back.

"I think they have very good race pace. If we can get out front and stay there though, we have a good chance."