Where to for Plato & Turner after SEAT exit?

When SEAT announced their withdrawal from the British Touring Car Championship they leave two of the top touring car drivers of Britain without a seat for 2009. Plato signed a three year deal with SEAT last season, but has now got to find something else.
“We’ve only just had the news today, so I think it’s too early to talk about specifics for next year just yet,” Plato told autosport.com.

“I want to keep racing though and I’d like to stay in touring cars because I love saloon racing, touring car racing, the aggression, the fun, everything that goes with it.”

Turner on the other hand seems to be heading out from the touring car scene. The Brit has scored good results in GT-racing with a class win at Le Mans as the top notch.

“I don’t really see an avenue for me to stay in the BTCC next year. There weren’t many paid drives available anyway, and now with SEAT gone and Vauxhall sorted for their drivers, it doesn’t look good,” said Turner.

“I’ll look at the WTCC, but I’ve done a lot of GT racing too so I’ve got that to fall back on. I’ll have to wait and see what Aston Martin’s plans are for 2009, but there are a fair few manufacturer teams and well-funded privateer squads in GTs and Sportscars, so there are more opportunities to earn a living there, maybe in FIA GT or LMS than in touring cars.”

Next weekend at Brands Hatch will be the last BTCC event of the season and the last one with SEAT’s in the field. Plato still has a small chance to stop Vauxhall-man Fabrizio Giovanardi from taking the title.