Plato takes race 1 at Brands
Jason Plato has taken victory in the season-opening British Touring Car Championship race at Brands Hatch
The SEAT Sport UK driver brought his Leon home ahead of the BMW 320si of pole-sitter Colin Turkington.
Third place went to Mat Jackson in his family-run BMW320si, but he was later disqualified for ignoring flags to come into the pits as the car was smoking heavily, thought to be caused by bodywork rubbing against the rear right tyre.
Reigning champion Matt Neal put in a storming drive to finish fourth (third after Jackson's exclusion), despite only qualifying ninth in the brand new Honda Civic.
However VX Racing, also debuting a new car, the Vectra, had a more difficult time. Tom Chilton came home in seventh place while Fabrizio Giovanardi wound up eleventh. Jackson's disqualification meant both drivers were later promoted one place up.
CLASSIFIED:
Pos Driver Make Time
1. Jason Plato SEAT Leon 24:57.801
2. Colin Turkington BMW 320si E90 + 1.237
3. Matt Neal Honda Civic + 2.757
4. Mike Jordan Honda Integra + 3.956
5. Tom Onslow-Cole BMW 320si E90 + 4.226
6. Tom Chilton Vauxhall Vectra + 5.102
7. Adam Jones SEAT Toledo Cupra + 5.650
8. Gordon Shedden Honda Civic + 8.186
9. Gareth Howell SEAT Toledo Cupra + 14.348
10. Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall Vectra + 14.831
11. Chris Stockton Lexus IS200 + 15.109
12. Matt Allison SEAT Toledo Cupra + 16.393
13. Martyn Bell BMW 320i E46 + 17.157
14. Erkut Kizilirmak Vauxhall Astra Sport + 19.641
15. Nick Leason Lexus IS200 + 25.932
16. Simon Blanckley Honda Integra + 42.438
17. Rick Kerry BMW 120D + 1 lap
18. Jim Pocklington BMW 320i E46 + 1 lap
19. John George Honda Integra + 1 lap
20. Dave Pinkney Alfa Romeo 156 + 3 laps
NOT CLASSIFIED/RETIREMENTS:
Driver Make On Lap
Darren Turner SEAT Leon 24
Richard Marsh Alfa Romeo 156 14
Jason Hughes MG ZS 1
Fiona Leggate MG ZS 1
Mat Jackson BMW 320si E90 DSQ
Fastest Lap: Jason Plato, 49.706
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