Plato Wins Race 1 at Oulton
Jason Plato secured SEAT's first British Touring Car Championship win of the season after a thrilling battle with series leader Matt Neal at Oulton Park on Sunday
Plato, who had started from pole position, stormed away at the lights to pull clear of early season pace-setters Dan Eaves and Neal in their Team Halfords Hondas.
It appeared that Plato would be set for a pretty easy victory, but Neal had other ideas as he set about trying to find a way past Eaves. His attempts came off into Old Hall on lap nine as he grabbed the second spot and then he swiftly set about closing the gap on the leader.
Plato appeared to have little in reserve to respond to Neal's swift pace, with the sweltering temperatures believed to have caused a bit of overheating to his tyres and brakes, and soon the pair were locked in battle.
Neal was keen for the win and on the penultimate lap at Lodge Corner he made a move, but it failed to come off. That ended up costing him valuable time, which meant he was too far back to challenge on the final lap.
Plato duly took the chequered flag 0.284 seconds ahead to take a victory that keeps him well in the hunt for series honours this year.
Eaves had little trouble keeping hold of his third position, with Vauxhall's Yvan Muller claiming fourth place ahead of Tom Chilton and Gavin Smith.
Pos Driver Make Time 1. Jason Plato SEAT Toledo Cupra 22:35.695 2. Matt Neal Honda Integra + 0.284 3. Dan Eaves Honda Integra + 3.366 4. Yvan Muller Vauxhall Astra Sport + 4.672 5. Tom Chilton Honda Civic Type-R + 7.184 6. Gavin Smith Vauxhall Astra Sport + 11.872 7. Luke Hines SEAT Toledo Cupra + 11.959 8. Rob Collard MG ZS + 12.976 9. James Pickford SEAT Toledo Cupra + 14.657 10. Colin Turkington Vauxhall Astra Sport + 20.660 11. James Kaye Honda Civic Type-R + 36.068 12. Mark Proctor Vauxhall Astra Coupe +1:08.938 13. Richard Williams Lexus IS200 + 1 Lap
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