Croft Crowds in for "A Cracker", Says Plato

28 May 2007

Jason Plato believes the North East's Dunlop British Touring Car crowds are in for "a cracker" when the championship visits the region on Sunday 3 June.

The BTCC is just days away from making its annual appearance at the Croft circuit near Darlington. Tens of thousands of fans flock to the event as it is their only opportunity of the year to see Britain's premier race series in action.

And Newcastle-raised Plato, the current championship leader, says the evidence suggests that 2007's event could be the most exciting since Croft started staging BTCC meetings ten years ago.

"The crowds are in for a cracker," said SEAT star Plato. "The form book suggests any one of up to 15 drivers could end up winning one of the three rounds on race day.

"SEAT has a great car in the Leon, Vauxhall's new Vectra is coming on in leaps and bounds and, although its car arrived late in the day, Team Halfords' new Honda Civic has started to show genuinely strong form. We've also seen BMWs and Alfa Romeos lead races at some point and, at Thruxton a few weeks ago, there was one moment when we had five cars abreast.

"The Croft track also has a few very tempting overtaking spots and the public can get some great views from the banking around the track. They've made it free for children as well and it's going to be a great day out for families."

Although he lives in Oxford these days, Plato is eager to win in front of what he perceives to be a home crowd. Arriving at Croft, he leads Vauxhall's Italian ace Fabrizio Giovanardi by just nine points – each has so far won four times in 2007. Next up is Giovanardi's team-mate Tom Chilton followed by Halfords' reigning champion Matt Neal.

Plato added: "I actually think my championship lead could be a little bit bigger had it not been for a bit of bad luck at Thruxton a few weeks ago when my car had a small electrical problem when I was second on the starting grid. I'm confident I'd have beaten Giovanardi in that race but ended up sixth. I lost points when I shouldn't have.

"But Croft has always been a very happy hunting ground for me and for SEAT – we've won three times in the last three years and I believe the Leon will be at its most potent around a track like Croft which has a good mixture of corners.

"As the championship leader my car will carry an extra 45kgs in success ballast in qualifying and race one. My team-mate-mate Darren Turner has no ballast so should be a good bet for pole position. Realistically the best I can hope for is second but, as I've already said, anything can happen in the races.

"I go into every race trying to win but who knows… it could be someone new this time."

Tickets to see the BTCC in action at Croft on 3 June cost £25 on the gate or they can be booked on Croft's website www.croftcircuit.co.uk or by telephone: 01325 721815. Admission for children aged 15 and under is FREE.

Prices include free access to the BTCC paddock and the hugely popular Pit Lane Walkabout when the public, including children, is invited into the Croft pit lane to meet the drivers for autographs and give-aways.

BTCC.net

See series calendar for British Touring Car Championship 2007

Related Story 22.05.2007 - Chilton Aiming to Close Down BTCC Leaders at Croft