Jason Plato has said even a mid-week tipple in his beloved Newcastle will be out of the question before he races at Croft on Sunday 3 June because he’s so focused on winning this year’s Dunlop British Touring Car title.
Plato, raised in Newcastle, currently leads the BTCC standings and is hoping a win in front of his home crowd at Croft will help him on to title glory.
He admits that in the past he’s often met up with old pals in Newcastle city centre for a swift pint, but this year he’s staying strictly tea-total.
The 39-year-old told BTCC.net: “The night life in Newcastle is phenomenal and maybe if I was staying in town on the Wednesday night I’d meet up with a few pals for a quick jar.
“These days though I keep my mind completely clear, even if the race weekend doesn’t start until three days later. Sadly, I’m not in my early 20s any more and you start finding that the effects can last with you for more than a day. Maybe on the Sunday night if we’ve had a win or two, but not in the week…”
SEAT ace Plato lies second equal on the championship’s all-time winners’ chart with 36 career wins – four of those have come at Croft and he dearly wants to spray more victory champagne at his home track.
Plato added: “I’m very passionate about the North-East and miss it dearly. I love racing at Croft. It’s a great track, the people are fantastic. We get a tremendous welcome whenever we go back up there.
“They’re a different lot up north. They don’t get their fair share of motor sport so when there is a big meeting they all turn out and have a fantastic day. It’s always one of the events I look forward to the most on the calendar.”
Tickets to see the BTCC in action at Croft on 3 June cost £25 on the gate or they can be booked on Croft’s website www.croftcircuit.co.uk or by telephone: 01325 721815. Admission for children aged 15 and under is FREE.
Prices include free access to the BTCC paddock and the hugely popular Pit Lane Walkabout when the public, including children, is invited into the Croft pit lane to meet the drivers for autographs and give-aways.
The timetable includes ten races in total: the latest three BTCC rounds plus another seven races from the supporting BMW, Porsche, Renault and SEAT championships.
