Photo: BTCC Media

SEAT continues with Plato

By

SEAT Sport UK has today confirmed it will contest a fourth consecutive season in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship in 2007 with a pair of Leons, one to be driven by Jason Plato. The Spanish manufacturer’s UK arm last year ended five years of Vauxhall rule when it captured the BTCC’s coveted Manufacturers crown.

Former title-winner Plato, who has been with SEAT since it first entered the BTCC in 2004, finished runner-up in the Drivers’ championship with the same number of race wins, eight, as champion Matt Neal.

Last season marked the Leon’s debut: but already built to FIA Super 2000 specification – the BTCC’s new technical formula for 2007 – the car could put SEAT Sport UK at an advantage this year as its rivals get to grips with the new type of machinery.

Plato, who won the BTCC title in 2001, said: “We had hardly any time to test the new Leon in the UK before the start of the 2006 season, yet we proved that we could still be competitive at most of the circuits.

”With a full season of racing the Leon in the BTCC under our belts, and all cars challenging for the BTCC running to S2000 regulations, we will start the 2007 season in a much stronger position.

”The aim is to successfully defend the Manufacturers’ title for SEAT and I want to be Drivers’ Champion again. I have no doubts that if we work hard and do a good job, we will win.”

Plato’s SEAT UK Motorsport Manager Scott Dennis believes his squad can achieve a clean sweep of titles in 2007.

Dennis said: “SEAT Sport UK has a very short history in the BTCC, but already we have chalked up some impressive statistics and won our first championship. The aim for 2007 will be to defend that championship and mount consistent challenges for both the Drivers’ and Teams’ championships.”

Since arriving in the BTCC, SEAT Sport UK has contested 90 BTCC races, winning 24 of them and achieving 60 podium finishes. Plato, meanwhile, made his debut in the championship in 1997 and since has won 33 times from 216 races. He also boasts the most successful wins per race and points per race ratios, of 6.54 and 7.52 respectively, of any of the series’ current drivers.