MATT Neal is relishing the challenge of proving himself in new surroundings after joining Vauxhall.

The Droitwich race ace ended four years with Pershore-based Team Halfords and Honda to join up with reigning British Touring Car champion Fabrizio Giovanardi in the Vauxhall Vectra.

Vauxhall won the manufacturers' title last year and the acquisition of Neal means they now have the winners of the last three drivers' titles on their books.

Neal won back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006 before finishing fourth with Team Halfords last season.

"There were pros and cons for the move," 41-year-old Neal said.

"I have done it and proved it with Team Halfords and the team was in a strong position if I did go.

"I almost wanted to take myself out of my box, because everything was built around me at Team Halfords, and prove I could or couldn't do it somewhere else."

He added: "I got an approach in the middle of last year.

"It wasn't an easy decision, it took a lot of soul-searching. I have been the enemy for the last four years. I have got some really close friends at Team Halfords and, in one respect, I was very sad to leave it but you have got to look forward.

"It's quite a different thing for me. I am not underestimating the challenge ahead, I am looking forward to it. It's not going to be an easy task.

"It will be weird to start with going against my old team."

Neal, who spent 12 months with Vauxhall earlier in his career, jets out to Spain next week for testing with Giovanardi as he tries to adjust to the new Vectra following four seasons in a Honda.

He added: "Considering the cars are built to very tight regulations they are completely different, which is going to be another challenge for me.

"The Honda was designed around me, whereas the Vauxhall seems to have been geared around Giovanardi's style of driving, which is quite different from mine."

The first meeting of the season takes place at Brands Hatch, Kent, on Sunday, March 30.