Series leader Jason Plato says he will contest Thruxton’s title-deciding rounds this weekend despite suffering burns to his hands, neck and face when a car he was driving at 150mph burst into flames during filming for television. Plato was driving a Caparo T1 super car for television channel Channel 5’s Fifth Gear motoring show when it caught fire.

The SEAT ace needed treatment in a specialist burns unit but is now at home recovering ahead of this year’s title showdown between himself and Vauxhall’s Fabrizio Giovanardi. SEAT and Vauxhall are also locked in combat for the BTCC’s Manufacturers’ and Teams’ titles.