Plato in the WTCC

[Sudsy 23]

I was wondering whether Jason will be racing for the manufactured SEAT Sport team in Macau after Marc Carol raced in Valencia and scored a point.

[m0rk]

I think it might depend on:

1) if there is a car available [many toledo's are sold I think]
2) if his contract allows
3) other factors I can't think about....

[William E]

Even if a car wasnt available would they not fly out his BTCC car now that the seasin is over?

[m0rk]

Could do... but it'd need a respray to match SEAT's WTCC team colours (not hard, but another thing on their list)

plus would the car need registering for the WTCC? I'm not 100% sure if you register the car or the driver & whether it'd need homologation

Don't get me wrong - I think it would be great - it's a top circuit providing good write off's at most corners

[psq43]

Think last weeks Autosport said something about his being the lone SEAT sport car to go to mac! May be "lone" as in the only one from BTCC! I dunno!

[psq43]

Worrying new in todays Autosport in the "shorts" section at the front!!!!

Long and short of it is that SEATS future in the BTCC are still undecided (after a bad 2005, who's suprised) and also talk of SEAT Sport UK taking JP to race a sole car in the WTCC. Decision by SEAT brass expected soon!

Now while the rumour mill always fires on all four at this time of year, what this states is slightly unnerving and worrying about the 2006 season already!

[Jonathan McLeod]

We knew that weeks ago

[psq43]

We knew that weeks ago


Ah, well YOU and I might have, However, I trust YOU are not speaking for ALL on these forums! SOME of the WE might not have heard!

[dannybo]

Your right psq, I didnt know that.

Hopefully Seat will come to their senses. This would be very damaging for the championship, if they did pull out I would feel very much the same as alot of others have this year, there would be something missing.

For some reason, I cannot get excited about WTCC, strange considering the calibre of the field?

Maybe that would change with JP in the mix...

[Alsicole]

That would be truly grim news for BTCC, but also for me. I lost Anthony Reid from BTCC this year, looks like James Pickford will be out next year if Seat are gone, Tom Chilton's likely to move on to sports cars, so I'm lost, who do I support?

[RupturedDuck]

From Wednesdays Motorsport News (you should read a real paper :D )


Seat UK have confirmed that Jason Plato will take part in the FIA European Touring Car Cup at Vallelunga, Italy, this weekend.

They go on to say that Plato isnt sure how they will do as they are on differant tyres (Yokies) and that James Kaye will also take part in a GR Asia-run Seat Toledo.

It is on Eurosport live.

[Matt_S]

The ETCC news was reported in a number of places over the Brands Hatch weekend, and the official entry list for the event was published last week.

[Marc W]

For some reason, I cannot get excited about WTCC, strange considering the calibre of the field?


I've watched all the BTCC races this year and most of the WTCC and the WTCC races are just no where near as exciting, even though they have much bigger grids. I guess it shows bigger grids are no guarantee of good races.

It does seem rather pointless Seat sport Uk entering a series that already has plenty of Seats in already. Surely they are doing the job of promoting Seat around the world. The Uk operation should be entering the BTCC to promote Seat around the UK. Seems logical to me, but I guess that doesn't mean it'll happen.

It'll be a huge blow if the BTCC loses Seat, I've not heard of any other manufacturers planning on entering next season so it would leave Vauxhall with the manufacturers title before the season even begins!

[psq43]

Then again, put yourself in SEAT top brass' position! You have just had a relative drubbing by a few independants after a roaring sucess in your first season so why chance another??

Plus, there is the "world" tag that comes with the WTCC and gives far more clout in the sales brochures.

[dannybo]

On that rationale, how will they get success against more works teams when an independant team gave them a spanking...

Seriously though, on reflection I have faith in Mr Gow & his team to deliver another great season whether SEAT are there or not. ;)

[RupturedDuck]

I have enjoyed the WTCC and BTCC just as much as each other. Both series have something going for them, and I love having two top tin-top series to entertain me.

Giovanardi's defence of second place at the last round was a stunning drive. Zanardi's first international win since the loss of his legs was simply emotional.

[William E]

Am i correct in saying that that was the BTCC car Plato was racing today?

[Eaves Fan!]

Yea it was his car just with a different number on it!

Becca

[William E]

Even if a car wasnt available would they not fly out his BTCC car now that the seasin is over?

I was right about something for once!!! Can you belive it

[SBF]

Same car different number and also different tyres. Everyone was running on Yokies(Advan).

[m0rk]

Same car different number and also different tyres. Everyone was running on Yokies(Advan).

Scott Dennis, SEAT Sport UK Motorsport Manager, said:

"we knew it was going to be very difficult, especially as we donÇt race on Michelin tyres in the British Touring Car Championship and we would have to start from the beginning to find a good set-up."

Rumour has it that the Yoko's went off after 5 laps, so they reverted to Dunlops/Michelin

[Matt_S]

Scott Dennis, SEAT Sport UK Motorsport Manager, said:

"we knew it was going to be very difficult, especially as we donÇt race on Michelin tyres in the British Touring Car Championship and we would have to start from the beginning to find a good set-up."

Rumour has it that the Yoko's went off after 5 laps, so they reverted to Dunlops/Michelin

There was an issue with the Yokohama tyres so the teams were given the option of running on a different kind of tyres and the SEAT team elected to run on Michelin rubber.

Not the best of starts for Yokohama who will supply tyres for the World Touring Car Championship from next season.

[thegodplato]

[QUOTE=psq]Then again, put yourself in SEAT top brass' position! You have just had a relative drubbing by a few independants after a roaring sucess in your first season so why chance another??

Christ, perhaps Vauxhall should pack up as well then, eh?? Why don't we rename it the Independents Only Cup so Matt Neal can win again ( fat chance - hope I'm not eating my words this time next year!! )

[psq43]

Christ, perhaps Vauxhall should pack up as well then, eh?? Why don't we rename it the Independents Only Cup so Matt Neal can win again ( fat chance - hope I'm not eating my words this time next year!! )


I think you should think a bit more! Seat are stil relative newcomers and after the very successful first year, the Top Bods would have expected more of the same! Reasons, Excuses blah blah, rules breaks, blah blah are of no interest at all to the Head Honcho's, they are only concerned with results, business is the same!

However, Vauxhall have been very loyal to the series and are experienced enough to kow that things dont stay the same for very long!