Plato takes first ever BTCC diesel-win

Jason Plato took an historical win during the first race of the weekend at Donington Park. The Brit became the first ever to win with a diesel-powered car in the British Touring Car Championship. Plato stayed behind Tom Onslow for the first part of the race but was able to get past when the Vauxhall-driver went too wide in the corner McLeans.

This was the first win of Plato since Donington last year and he took the victory ahead of his old rival Matt Neal.

At first Colin Turkington lead the race. But the Team RAC-driver was given a drive-through for jumping the start. The starting lights had failed before the start and the race was started with a flag instead, perhaps something that added to the confusion.

Pole-man Onslow-Cole fell down to third place, finishing only 0.3 seconds behind his team mate Neal.

The safety car was deployed two times. The first period was caused by an incident between John George and Rob Collard at the Old Hairpin. The second one was caused by Mat Jackson and Tom Chilton. The both were fighting for fifth place when they clashed and went off in to the gravel trap.

Fourth place went to Gordon Shedden with Andrew Jordan fifth, Steven Kane sixth and Adam Jones seventh. Reigning champion and championship leader Fabrizio Giovanardi took eight place after going off the track on lap two.