Plato says BTCC stronger than ever

Speaking at the Autosport International Show, the works SEAT driver, who has been a regular in the series since his debut in 1997, said: "I think the BTCC is in fantastic shape at the minute. It's easy to look back at the 90s when there were more manufacturers and say it's not the same, but those days are gone.

"A lot of manufacturers own each other now so of course there are fewer different cars out there, but the championship really has come back in a big way in the last couple of years.

"The television coverage is better than ever before with races from every round shown live, and the spectators come out in force with over 30,000 at some rounds. We're all very fortunate to be involved in the BTCC right now."

More than 300,000 people attended BTCC events during the 2007 season and 1.5 million watched the season finale at Thruxton live on ITV1.