Jason Plato has been confirmed with Power Maxed Racing for the 2021 British Touring Car Championship season, with the series’ all-time record winner returning after a sabbatical year.
After first joining the team in 2019, Plato had been set to enter into a second season with PMR in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic caused his and the team’s plans to change in the summer.
Plato sat out the 2020 season after PMR withdrew in the summer, although the team would return from the third round onwards to field a sole Vauxhall Astra for a number of drivers on an event-by-event basis.
53-year-old Plato will return to the BTCC off the back of having won the last race he contested, when he took victory in the 2019 season finale to end the year seventh overall in the drivers’ standings.
Plato will be joined by a yet-to-be-confirmed team-mate after PMR confirmed that they would return to operating a two-car outfit in 2021.
“Obviously 2020 was less than ideal for many of us, but, for me at least, it gave me time to put a lot of things into perspective,” said Plato.
“I was lucky enough to be able to spend a lot more time than I normally would at home with the family, but I’m itching to get back in a race car now.
“It’s the longest I’ve been without racing, and it’s made me appreciate just how much I love it, and I have really missed my team.
“I’m excited about the future with Power Maxed Racing, and winning the final race in ’19 has lit a fire underneath me, so I’m more than ready to get back out and win my 100th race!”
PMR Team Principal Adam Weaver referenced a recent development programme amongst his reasons to be upbeat heading into the new season, which begins at Thruxton in May.
“Last year was a very strange one for us – not fighting in the top ten of the points isn’t something we’re used to, but it was great to get some new talent in the car,” said Weaver.
“Following on from Jason’s success at the end of 2019, coupled with the extensive development programme we’ve been working on over the winter, I’m feeling cautiously optimistic about some strong results in 2021 and beyond.
“And, obviously, Jason bagging his unparalleled 100th win in the Astra!”