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Thruxton 2004

Green Flag

11/04/2004

SEAT - Race 1

SEAT Sport UK Toledo Cupra drivers Jason Plato and Rob Huff ran in a strong 6th and 8th place respectively for most of the opening round of the Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Thruxton this morning, before Race 2 starting grid position tactics on the final lap saw Plato ease off to finish 8th and Rob move up to 6th. The great opening race performance saw both drivers score BTCC points on the team’s race debut.

The result of the first race determines the grid positions for Race 2. However, with the first 10 cars starting in reverse order (i.e. the driver who finished Race 1 in 10th place will start Race 2 on pole) Plato slowed on the final lap to let his team-mate Huff, and rival Michael Bentwood, through. Huff crossed the chequered flag in a superb 6th place on his BTCC race debut, while Plato completed his first BTCC race since winning the 2001 title in 8th.

Race 1
Jason Plato: Qualified 8th. Finished 8th.
Rob Huff: Qualified 11th. Finished 6th.

Jason said:
“The objective in the first race was always to push hard at the start and open up a gap so I could control the pace and try to finish tenth. The tactic worked well. I had a great start and kept out of trouble, and towards the start of the last lap I slowed down to let Rob and another car through entering the chicane. Although it was getting a little busy at the finish line, and I would preferred to be starting the second race on the front row of the grid, finishing 8th to start on the second row is really good.”

Rob said:
“I had a good start but had to keep lifting off because cars in front of me where spinning everywhere. I got around Luke Hines on the outside of Goodwood and had a cracking race with Michael Bentwood – keeping him behind me all race. Jason pointed and let me through at the chicane before we entered the final lap, and coming through the chicane for the last time I locked my brakes and had to hold on to a big sideways moment without losing a place. I really enjoyed my first ever BTCC race and I’m delighted to have finished in sixth place.”