PLATO NOT LETTING NEAL RELAX AHEAD OF SILVERSTONE TITLE-DECIDER
Jason Plato has warned Matt Neal "one slip and I’ll
be in there" ahead of their Dunlop MSA British Touring
Car Championship title-decider at Silverstone this weekend.
SEAT driver Plato needs to make up 35 points on Neal in Sunday’s
final three rounds – a tall order considering only a
maximum of 52 will be on offer.
But Oxford-based Plato, the 2001 champion, believes he will
be in a strong enough position to capitalise should Neal encounter
any problems.
Plato said in the Silverstone paddock: "If I was in
Matt Neal’s shoes I’d be as cool as a cucumber.
All he’s got to do is walk straight and he’s got
it wrapped up.
"He has a monstrous lead and I'm a realist and know
what it would take for things to turn around – either
divine intervention or for Matt to make a stupid mistake.
"That said, I feel the SEAT will be strong at Silverstone
and if he slips up then I’ll be in a competitive enough
position to take advantage."
Neal, driving his Team Halfords Honda, is on the verge a
second successive BTCC Drivers’ title. However, this
weekend’s BTCC grid will be the biggest for 12 years
with 26 cars taking to the track and with lap times expected
to be the closest of the season Neal knows he must not get
caught up in battles for minor positions.
Plato added: "If I get into the lead of a race then
I’m not going to walk off into the distance. I’ll
deliberately try to stack the field back to cause a bit of
confusion behind and with so many cars on the track then maybe
something can happen in true touring car style.
"But I definitely do not want the title decided by me
or one of my team-mates coming into contact with Matt."
Plato also rued the fact he has lost so many points to Neal
through retirements – this year he has failed to finish
seven races while Neal has only stopped twice.
"It’s been the most unlucky season I’ve
ever had in my career," said Plato. "I can’t
recall one race meeting where I’ve had a pair of retirements
and this season that’s happened at three meetings.
"Also, every time I have stopped I’ve been in
a strong points position. If I’d had two retirements
like Matt we’d be going into this weekend just about
neck and neck on points.
"But I’m very proud with what we’ve achieved
as a team. We’ve taken some fairly big kicks in the
goolies but we’re still in with a chance at the final
meeting."
Plato will celebrate his 39th birthday during tomorrow's
(Saturday) qualifying session when he will be going for his
fourth pole position in a row ahead of the final three rounds
of the season on Sunday.
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