Triple Eight MG drivers Jason Plato and Sam Tordoff remain full of high spirit heading to their local circuit at Croft this weekend, both hoping for homes spoils after their strong Oulton Park performance.
Newcastle-born Plato has always had a soft spot for the challenging 2.25 mile Croft circuit at which he has picked up five BTCC wins since his and the track’s series debut in 1997, and enters the round full of confidence that he can add to the tally after claiming pole and two wins last time out at Oulton Park in a highly successful weekend for the KX Momentum Racing MG team.
A winner here last year in the MG6, Plato – who now lies just seven points off the series leader Matt Neal – enthused: “This is as close as it gets to racing at home for me, and that is a special feeling. What is also special is the track itself; Croft has a little bit of everything – there are really technical bits and there are some very fast sweeps out the back that require a huge amount of bravery.
“We showed at the last rounds at Oulton Park that the tweaks we have made to the chassis are paying off. We had a great handling car on a very demanding circuit and those are the strengths we are going to need at Croft as well. We need to keep the momentum going that we have built up.”
The former double champion’s team-mate Tordoff also sees Croft as his local circuit, and the 24-year-old from Leeds matches Plato’s optimism of the team’s chances of success at the North Yorkshire circuit this weekend having secured his first podium finish at Oulton Park to now lie fifth in the championship.
Tordoff said: “I don’t think that wins are out of the question given how we performed at Oulton Park. What is great is that we have got on top of how to use the Dunlop tyres and get the most from them, which will be vital at Croft. We are confident enough to think that both Jason and I can fend off the threats from any team at Croft, and that means you go into the meeting with your sights set high.”
Continuing to shine brightly in his maiden campaign, the former Porsche Carrera Cup GB winner also banished any suggestion that his rookie BTCC season will be manipulated in any way due to his inexperience, saying that he will fight for victory as much as his well-renowned team-mate.
“Although it is my first year at this level, I am not asking for any special treatment,” he said. “I am out there to win as much as the next man, I have a great platform in the KX Momentum MG and I plan to use it as best as I can.”