Race 2: Plato wins for SEAT

After deliberately slowing at the end of race one to give himself a second row starting spot for the reverse grid of race two, Plato held third place in the early going to Dan Eaves (Honda) and Shaun Watson-Smith (Proton) as pole sitter Tom Chilton (Honda) bogged down at the start.

First race protagonists James Thompson (Vauxhall) and Matt Neal (Honda) collided at Goodwood on lap two, their dramatic exits causing a safety car period. At the restart, Plato moved up to second, while Yvan Muller (Vauxhall) was also on the move.

Plato passed Eaves for the lead at the Complex, with Muller following suit to grab second. Many expected the Frenchman to steamroller past the lead SEAT, or at least something controversial, but Plato put up a stunning defence and held out until the end to give SEAT victory in only its second ever BTCC race.

"This is one of the most enjoyable race wins I've ever had," said Plato. "So many thanks go out to SEAT Sport UK and RML, who prepare the cars. The project came together very late but everyone involved has worked miracles."

Muller said: "It was a very sensible race between us - we both know the championship is 30 rounds so it's important to be sure of the points. My car was still not set-up exactly as I wanted it and I also had a vibration from one of the tyres that made me concerned, but it was better than the first race."

Michael Bentwood grabbed third in his Triple 8-run Vauxhall after he overhauled Eaves late on. Rob Collard (Vauxhall) and Anthony Reid (MG) were next up.


1 Jason Plato, SEAT Toledo Cupra, 28m28.389s
2 Yvan Muller, Vauxhall Astra Coupe, +0.451s
3 Michael Bentwood, Vauxhall Astra Coupe, +2.082s
4 Dan Eaves, Honda Civic Type-R, +2.412s
5 Rob Collard, Vauxhall Astra Coupe, +2.995s
6 Anthony Reid, MG ZS, +5.542s