BTCC

Menu Disappointed With Plato After Race Two Clash

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Alain Menu was left a frustrated figure after his second race ended controversially in the barriers after an incident with former team-mate Jason Plato in the closing stages of their battle for sixth.

The BMR Racing driver had moved up to the tail of the MG KX Clubcard Fuel Save BTCC Team driver to ignite a battle for sixth place between the pair, Menu moving up the inside of the MG heading into Clervaux for the penultimate time of the 15-lap encounter.

The Volkswagen moved through but contact was made on the corner exit which spat Menu’s Passat sharp left into the tyre barriers, Plato continuing for sixth overall.

Menu was left certain of both drivers’ parts in the incident, and disappointed in the incident that took place.

“It’s plain to see for everyone, I don’t know what was going through his head. I cannot understand it”, a disappointed Menu told The Checkered Flag afterwards.

“It’s very disappointing coming from somebody of his experience.

“I was racing him so fair. I couldn’t have been any more fair, and i was just waiting for the right opportunity – not to do anything stupid. I did that; I was through.

“We could have had sixth in that race and started fifth for race three. If they don’t kick him out then I don’t understand.”

Plato and Menu Croft race 2 2014

The BMR Racing Volkswagen Passat has looked strong in the hands of Menu throughout the weekend in North Yorkshire – where he won twice in the BTCC’s maiden visit to the track – and the Swiss driver felt that he could have been a contender for another strong result in race three.

Despite understeer issues, Menu added: “The problem is that we have to compromise. Through the Esses I am really on the edge with the rear end but that’s what we have to do.

“Everything was going so well, and we were making progress; we changed the car after race one and it was pretty good. We weren’t going to change it for race three, I think we had as good as we could have.”

On the damage sustained, Menu says it should not be serious, adding: “I don’t think so, I think they can fix it At the end of the day, we are not fighting for the championship now so it doesn’t really matter.”

Plato meanwhile gave his story, saying: “I had been struggling with front-end grip throughout that race. I saw Menu coming and thought he was going to come through a bit quicker.

“I went to turn in and didn’t expect him to still be there. It was unfortunate. Did I make a mistake? Possibly, but I didn’t feel it was my fault.”

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