Jason Plato chases Mat Jackson in race 2 - Photo: BTCC.net
The MG KX Momentum racing team were rewarded with two podium finishes from Jason Plato after their late night efforts to repair both their MG6 cars for the rain sodden rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton.
Despite the treacherous conditions which plagued all three of Sunday's races, Plato came up trumps in race one after he made a fantastic start passing pole-sitter Andrew Jordan on his way down to turn one. Plato then dropped to fifth place following contact with Jordan after his Pirtek Honda Civic aquaplaned into the MG6. Teammate Andy Neate was involved in an incident damaging his MG.
Plato climbed to 3rd and remained there after several incidents saw the Safety Car deployed. Due to the adverse conditions and several cars needing to be recovered the race ended under the Safety Car, with full points awarded.
In the early stages of race two Plato ran third battling with Gordon Shedden in the wet conditions. After fighting the conditions, Plato recorded his second podium of the day after finishing in second place. On the other hand, the electrical issues Neate had suffered during Saturday's sessions re-emerged, hampering his progress in the race.
Neate said: “It's been another disappointing weekend for me. Yet again we've had failures from a common component supplied to us, which is very frustrating. I'm looking forward to the chance to do some testing for the first time with this car and coming back stronger at Oulton Park next time out.”
Plato lined up in eighth following the reverse grid. With a drying track some drivers choosing slick tyres, they were soon to be proved wrong as the heavens opened a couple of laps in. Plato made solid progress through the field and battled with Dynojet Racing's Frank Wrathall right up until the flag. Plato finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a third podium.
Plato commented on his solid weekend: “What a great weekend for the MG KX Momentum Racing team on my side of the garage. We're still leading the points in the drivers' championship and considering that we hadn't run the car in the wet before, a 2nd, 3rd and 4th should be pleasing for everybody.”
