Jason Plato confident of pace going in to qualifying

Jason Plato is confident going in to qualifying, having taken the top spot in both free practice sessions at Oulton Park.

The two-time champion was the only driver to dip in to the 1 minute 25 second bracket in both sessions, going faster than his own lap record both times.

“In pre-season testing with the same weight we’ve been quicker, but that was a very good day that day,” Plato told TouringCarTimes. “If I can do another 25.6 then I’d hope that’s good enough.”

This weekend sees the BTCC switch back to the Island layout at Oulton Park, after processional races around the International layout left many fans disappointed last year. It is a move which Plato has welcomed.

“It was the right thing to do – we all love the big circuit but it just doesn’t work,” he continued. “It takes out two overtaking opportunities. TOCA have done the right thing by swapping it back because normally we have great races.”

Plato is currently running with 48kg of ballast, while championship leader Gordon Shedden carries 75kg, team-mate Colin Turkington brings 66kg to Oulton Park and Matt Neal brings 57kg. But when asked about the potential for ballast hindering his pace throughout the race day, Plato joked “I’m not thinking past qualifying at the moment.”