Jason Plato

CHAMPION 2001, 2010

After a long and successful karting career, Plato arrived on the circuit racing scene in 1990, taking part in the Formula Renault UK Championship. Eventually he joined the Manor Motorsport Van Diemen team, but missed out on the ’91 UK title after an acrimonious battle with Bobby Verdon-roe. Fierce fights with rivals would come to dominate Plato’s career.

He made it to F3, but the budget ran dry. It was time for a reset. He set his sights on the BTCC, and his determination would get him there.

A season in the new-for-1996 Renault Spider Championship, which was on the BTCC support bill, right under the noses of the tin-top team bosses, gave him a platform, and an end-of-season test in the Williams-run Renault Laguna was the chance he needed. He hounded Frank Williams until he gave him a deal, and that was the launchpad for what would become a long and decorated career in the BTCC. He has taken part in all but two seasons since 1997 and has collected a record number of race wins, and two titles.

But Plato’s influence on the BTCC goes way beyond the statistics alone. He has been at the forefront of several manufacturer programmes. He has led the line for Vauxhall, SEAT, Chevrolet, MG and Subaru. He has also combined his racing with a television career, which has made him a well-known personality and a huge draw for spectators at the race tracks.