In only his first year of car racing Lewis Plato rode a tremendous streak of results in the Radical Clubman’s Cup to beat more than 100 drivers from across Europe to win the Sunoco Grand-Am 200 Challenge.
In doing so Plato is set to drive a V8-engined Chevrolet Camaro in January’s BMW Performance 200 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (CTSCC) race at Daytona International Speedway.
With points for the Challenge on offer of pole positions and fastest laps as well as race results Plato got off to the perfect start, winning both class and overall pole positions for the races at Snetterton in April to start the season. However, problems off the line kept from taking the results his pace deserved.
He had to wait until the fifth round of the season to get his first win, since when he had carved out an enviable record of eight wins from nine races with eight pole positions and fastest lap in every single race. The streak could be continued with the Clubman’s Cup still having one race weekend remaining, back at Snetterton on October 26.
“The Sunoco Grand-Am Challenge is an amazing opportunity for any driver,” said Plato, “so to have received the news that I have won this fantastic prize in my first year of car racing and to get to race at the famous Daytona circuit is brilliant. I really like America and have travelled there many times on holiday, I could never have imagined being back there to race at Daytona.”
“I would like to thank the whole team at Mectech Motorsport including my team mate Bradley Smith for his help which has been invaluable. Also my family, Dave who gives up so much time to support my racing and my parents who have always encouraged and thankfully funded my passion.”
In a double celebration for the Mectech team Smith was confirmed as winner of the Sunoco Rolex 24 at Daytona Challenge after a fine season in the Radical SR3 Challenge. He will take part on the Rolex 24 at Daytona the same weekend as Plato’s prize drive.
