Jason Plato Believes the BTCC is in Strong Form

The popular British touring car driver and television presenter Jason Plato, said he believes the current BTCC racing series is just as strong as in the competition’s glory days from the 1990s. The 42-year-old joined the British Touring Car Championship back in 1997 for the Williams-Renault BTCC team and became champion in the 2001 edition.

The Briton revealed for Autosport he believes the current lineup and regulations for the series allow for both better performances from private teams and top quality racing. The reduced manufacturers entries from recent years have presented a good chance of competitiveness for privateers and have raised the level of competition.

"There were great days in the 1990s when we had a lot of manufacturers," Plato said at Autosport International. "But looking back with hindsight, we wasted a lot of money and it wasn't sustainable.”

"The racing itself I honestly believe is just as good, if not better, now. Privateers, of which I was one last year, can compete on an equal playing field and - if they do a good job - win. And I think that has to be a good thing."

Jason Plato finished second in the championship in the 2009 edition, 5 points behind champion Colin Turkington and ahead of Fabrizio Giovanardi. Last year’s season gave a good sample of just how close the competition has become with the title being decided in the very last race.

Plato is also well-known for being a co-presenter on the automotive show for Channel 5 British TV series Fifth Gear co-starring with Tiff Needell and Vicki Butler-Henderson.