SEAT UK Aim for More Lap Records when BTCC hits Oulton Park

06 May 2006

Jason Plato and James Thompson both consider Oulton Park as one of their favourite circuits to race on – and with Jason winning there last year and James holding the touring car lap record, the SEAT Sport UK drivers are looking forward to returning to the Cheshire track for Rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship on Sunday 14 May.

Jason started all three races from pole position at Oulton Park last year and went on to score the team's first BTCC race win of 2005 there. It's a circuit he loves to race on, but it's also a circuit Jason has great respect for – as Oulton Park was the scene of his first big motor racing accident in 1990, when he rolled a Formula Renault end-over-end at the ultra-fast Island Corner.

James last raced at Oulton Park in 2004, where he finished 2nd , 5th and 3rd in the three BTCC races and set aqualifying record of 1:27.638 (91.44 mph) and a race lap record of 1:28.805 (90.23mph) which still stand today.

Oulton Park comes mid-way through a marathon run of 16 touring car races for James in the British and World Touring Car Championships, which sees him racing seven weekends in 10. Having already raced at Monza (WTCC – April 2), Brands Hatch (BTCC – April 9), Mondello (BTCC – April 23) and Magny-Cours (WTCC – April 30), immediately after the three BTCC races at Oulton Park James will be in action again at Brands Hatch (WTCC – May 21) and Oschersleben (WTCC – June 4).

Oulton Park's challenging 2.26 mile Island Circuit should also suit the SEAT Leon, as the car's superb chassis is ideal for the fast and flowing rollercoaster twists and undulations. Having scored 67 points in both race meetings at Brands Hatch and Mondello, SEAT Sport UK is aiming for a similar unequalled points seizure at Oulton Park to further extend its lead in the BTCC Manufacturers' category.

Jason said: "I love racing at Oulton Park because it's got some great corners and there are plenty of overtaking opportunities, and this year with the new Leon I think we've got a great chance to do really well. The circuit has a lot of fast flowing corners that rewards a good chassis, and the Leon certainly has a good chassis. There are two uphill sections though, one out of Island Hairpin and one out of the Knickerbrook chicane, which won't suit our car. We'll struggle at those parts of the track, but hopefully we can make up time on the other parts of the circuit. Overall I'm confident that we'll be in good shape and I'm really looking forward to it."

James said: "Oulton Park is my favourite circuit because it's just such a fantastic track to race on. It's also a place where we can maximise the Leon's strengths because the car's got great traction and great balance, and that's what you need at Oulton. Whether that will be enough to counteract the disadvantage we have with our straight line speed against the BTCC cars remains to be seen. Right now I'm really up for it. The aim is to score as many Manufacturer points as possible and come away with some silverware."

The BTCC race weekend at Oulton Park begins with two 40 minute free practice sessions on Saturday 13th May,starting at 09.30 and 11.50, followed by a 30 minute qualifying session starting at 15.00. Rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the BTCC take place on Sunday 14th May, with the three 15 lap races starting at 12.10, 14.20 and 16.20.

As usual, Motors TV will be broadcasting live throughout race day, while ITV1 will show recorded highlights of the first two races and the third race live on Sunday afternoon.

SEAT

See series calendar for British Touring Car Championship 2006

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