Plato and MG: Revved-up to rile rivals

So, you've just narrowly missed out on a third British Touring Car Championship crown at the season finale. You're with a squad you've described as 'the best touring car team in the world' (one with which you've won 22 races in three years) and you believe you only really lost the title this time because of being at a power disadvantage thanks to the rules. What do you do next?

If you're Jason Plato, you move to a different team with a car that hasn't even been built yet, never mind proved itself on the track.

Plato's switch from the RML-run Chevrolet factory squad to MG's new works programme, run by Triple 8 Engineering, caught many by surprise. It ultimately led to RML leaving the series and gives the 2001 and 2010 champion a lot of work to do if he is to challenge for the crown again this year. So why did he do it?

Plato, in a Chevrolet, battled with Neal and Shedden for 2011 title © LAT

"There was an opportunity with RML and with MG, and elsewhere," says Plato. "When I looked at everything, the MG deal was the most attractive for a number of reasons.

"Everyone really embraced what we're going to do [at MG]. Sometimes you've got to look at what's the best for the future and you have to make some tough decisions. It was a privilege to work with RML, but nothing lasts forever. This is for a minimum of three years, with the possibility of more."

Key to the move was the role Plato can play in the whole project. At MG he feels he can help push things along, using the experience 15 years of tin-tops has brought. Having a team built around him, Michael Schumacher-style, clearly appeals.

"I get a lot of enjoyment out of growing a project," he confirms. "I'm always looking for opportunities to do more than just drive the car, and have input at all levels.

"It's an unusual situation for me. I've helped assemble this deal and we've got a brilliant set of people."

The package didn't get finalised until January, leaving Ian Harrison and his team little time to prepare the MG6s for Plato and his team-mate Andy Neate ahead of the start of the season.

Even taking into account Triple 8's record - it dominated the BTCC in the noughties as the works Vauxhall operation and helped Plato to his first crown - it's surely too much to expect wins straight away.

The veteran won his first BTCC crown with Triple 8-run Vauxhall in 2001 © LAT

But Plato's arch-rival and reigning BTCC champion Matt Neal isn't convinced he can forget about his old foe in 2012. "They will be in it - Jason will always be in it," he says with a knowing air. "He'll take the programme forward.

"Before the season is over, he'll be a factor in the championship."

The MG6 didn't hit the track until the series' media day in mid-March, and didn't get a proper test until this week, so how does the man himself rate his chances?

"We did a few laps and everything moved in the right way," says Plato. "We already knew it was going to be touch-and-go with testing.

"The main thing is we just want to get some reliability and iron out some gremlins. We've got to come away from Brands with some points.

"We want to be competitive and I think we will be."

Just how high Plato can get in the table come season's end will partly depend on who can make the early running. MG is not the only team with a new car - and even Honda has had a few problems with its NGTC Civic.

"It's quite a difficult one to call," reckons the 44-year-old Briton. "I don't think Honda are necessarily favourites. They've had some issues and I think Motorbase and WSR will be in the mix [with turbocharged S2000 cars].

Plato does not think old rival Neal is the favourite necessarily © LAT

"It isn't going to take us long to get a handle on the car, then we'll start to extract the pace from it. NGTC will be quicker once everyone gets their heads in gear."

Plato's confidence is hard to ignore. Even if he doesn't win the championship this season, it's easy to see the MG-Triple 8-Plato combination being a powerful one in 2013 and '14, possibly beyond.

"We are relaxed and as cool as we can be," he adds. "My mindset is: 'I'm going to be in with a shout at the end of the year'. We all know what it takes to do the job.

"There's lots of work to do, but I'm really revved up.

"We're not under pressure to deliver - we know we will in the end."