Jason Plato says the BTCC learned lessons from 2011 season

Plato was often an outspoken critic of this year's regulations, which sought to establish parity between normally aspirated touring cars and their NGTC cousins.

That parity proved difficult to manage, however, leaving Plato and his Chevrolet squad bemoaning a lack of straightline speed.

Speaking on the AUTOSPORT International stage, Plato admitted that it had been a frustrating year, particularly as he could only finish third in the championship despite a conviction that the team had improved upon the previous year, when he was crowned champion.

He did, however, back BTCC and TOCA bosses, saying he could sympathise with their challenge and that he believed the series was heading in the right direction.

"I think lessons have been learned from last year," Plato said. "I think the worst is over and that the championship is heading into really good place.

"In some ways 2011 was satisfying, but also very frustrating. We were told what the regulations would be, but it didn't really mean that and we were fighting an uphill battle. I didn't think it was right and I was very vociferous about it.

"As a racing team and as a member of that team you do your homework, and we knew we had a better chassis and set ups than the previous years. As a driver and a team you can't make the car go faster in a straight line and at some points we were 15km/h slower [than other cars] - you just can't deal with that.

"In some ways it was rewarding, because you have to dig deep and find something within yourself, but the writing was on the wall from the first race and third in the championship was about as good as we could have got."

Despite such frustrations, Plato said he could sympathise a little with what organisers were trying to achieve.

"It's going in the right direction, but the sooner 2013 arrives [when NGTC cars will be compulsory] the better. In defence to TOCA it's a very difficult thing to achieve to have two or three types of regulations, so you have to have this phasing in process. It's a thankless task - but that said it is what it is, and there was a lot of controversy.

"In theory though NGTC cars should make the racing more even, and make the cost of entry and competing much easier for independents. That is Very important for the championship ' the manufacturer days are long gone.

"The future is looking good for touring cars. You have your heroes and villains, great TV, TOCA know what they are doing - love them or loathe them - and it is what gets me out of bed in the morning. Racing in the BTCC is phenomenal, and I hope to be back in 2012."