Alain Menu critical of Jason Plato after Croft clash

Alain Menu said he had “no idea what was going through Jason Plato’s mind” after a clash in the second race at Croft, which left the Swiss in the barriers and at the back for the final race.

The incident in question happened on the penultimate lap, when Team BMR’s Menu passed Triple Eight’s Plato into Clervaux, and was tapped on the rear by the MG driver, causing him to hit the barrier.

Plato held on to finish sixth, and the race stewards are still deliberating on the incident ahead of race three at 17:06 BST.

Speaking to TouringCarTimes, Menu said: “The car was really good. I would not have changed anything for race three. When it was my turn behind Plato, I was very careful. I could not have been any more fair.

“I overtook him cleanly when I had the chance, and I was past. Why on earth he turned, I have no idea. It is so disappointing from somebody with his experience.

“They’ve got to come down on him bloody hard, because not only did that spoil our race two, but our race three as well. I have no idea what went through his mind.”

Giving his side of the story, Plato said: “I had been struggling with front-end grip throughout the race. I saw Menu coming and I thought he was going to come through a bit quicker.

“I went to turn in and I didn’t expect him to still be there. He kind of hung around – it was unfortunate.

“Did I make a mistake? Possibly, but I didn’t feel it was all my fault.”