Plato says BTCC in time of strength

Date published : 15 Jan 2010 - 14:35:57

Jason Plato believes the British Touring Car Championship is just as strong a series now as it was in its 1990s heyday.The 42-year-old, who joined the BTCC in 1997 during its Super Touring era reckons the reduced manufacturer entries in recent years have made it a more open series for drivers."There were great days in the 1990s when we had a lot of manufacturers," Plato said at AUTOSPORT International. "But looking back with hindsight, we wasted a lot of money and it wasn't sustainable."The racing itself I honestly believe is just as good, if not better, now. Privateers, of which I was one last year, can compete on an equal playing field and - if they do a good job - win. And I think that has to be a good thing."Plato finished runner-up to Colin Turkington and ahead of Fabrizio Giovanardi in the three-way title fight in 2009 which went down to the final race.