Plato to miss new touring car season

North motor sport with ZOE BURN

HONORARY Geordie Jason Plato will not line-up on this year’s Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship grid after his team announced it is sitting the season out.

Power Maxed Racing last week revealed it was pressing pause on its BTCC campaign – but is pushing on with plans to return for a full season in 2021.

The BTCC is due to kick-off a nine-round championship on August 2 as action returns following the Covid crisis.

However, North fans will have to live without seeing Plato – who grew up in

Tyneside and attended King’s School in Tynemouth before his family returned to the south – until next year.

Team principal Adam Weaver has confirmed the squad will be back for the 2021 season and Plato is already lined up to return in one of the two Power Maxed Vauxhall Astras.

Weaved said: “Taking this decision was not easy but ourselves and our commercial partners felt it was the right thing for us to do to preserve our resources for next year.

“However, I want to clarify that this is in no way us giving up.

“We are simply hitting the pause button on these agreements with all our branding partners and team wear being carried over for the 2021 season, along with all corporate hospitality obligations.

“It means we have even more time to develop the Astras and will come out of the blocks fighting next March.”

Plato, renowned as being one of the BTCC’S most controversial yet well-loved characters and is not afraid to speak his mind (even when it is not needed) remains upbeat about the decision.

He said: “I genuinely believe this is the right decision for us as a team and all of our loyal partners.

“It may not be what people want to hear, and we are all gutted to not be racing as we had planned, but the really important thing is to make sure we are in a position to race again in 2021 and for years beyond…this was the best way for us all to guarantee that.”

Power Maxed Racing plans to still field at least one machine as an independent entry as part of its commitment to showcase and develop up-and-coming talent and will also be giving surprise guest outings to a handful of BTCC stars who can’t commit to a full season.

BTCC chief executive Alan Gow added: “Power Maxed Racing has come a long way from the first foray in 2015 and they will be missed on the grid this year. We will see their car throughout this season with some guest drivers whom I am sure will delight our fans.

“From the commitments Adam Weaver has made I have no doubt they will be back in the thick of it come 2021.

“These are trying times for everyone but we will all weather the storm by supporting each other as best we can.”