Jason Plato is predicting that this weekend could see a ‘highly profitable weekend’ if BTC Racing can ‘unlock the secrets of straight-line speed’ at Thruxton.
Plato heads to the Hampshire circuit off the back of a first podium of the season last time out at Snetterton, raising morale for the two-time champion.
The only other time this season that Plato has got his car into the top ten was on the championship’s first visit to Thruxton back in May, on an occasion when his team-mate Josh Cook romped to victory in the opening two races of the day.
However, the team’s recent form has been mixed, with Plato’s team-mate Cook lamenting at Snetterton a continued struggle for straight-line speed, describing the situation to TouringCars.Net as being ‘odd’ and ‘frustrating’.
Plato, who had a more positive weekend last time out, heads to the circuit with confidence high, although he emphasised needing to continue to work on resolving the team’s top speed issues.
“It was a really special reward for the work the team and the engineers have done to be able to score a podium at Snetterton,” said Plato, who has six wins at Thruxton and last won there seven years ago.
“However, we all know that we have to keep working hard with our partners and suppliers to make sure we are really on the front foot for Thruxton.
“The Honda Civic Type R chassis is one of the sweetest handling cars in the Kwik Fit BTCC line-up and that will be in our favour.
“If we can unlock the secrets of straight-line speed too, then it should be a highly profitable weekend for us.”
Team Principal Danny Buxton says that the atmosphere in the team is positive heading into the third-from-last weekend of the season.
“We will be going into the meeting with a very positive mindset,” said Buxton. “Josh was the king of the circuit last time we were there with his victories and Jason was very unlucky not to have recorded a podium finish in race three.
“Finishing second at Snetterton last time out has really fired Jason up; he will be chomping at the bit for more silverware, and we will do everything in our power to make that happen.”