Jason Plato

[Amanda]

Has anyone else seen Autosport today?

Great news that Jason could be driving for GA Motorsport this season!

I think this will be very good for the championship ~ not that I am biased at all!!!!

[Claire]

Will make the championship and the indy cup a lot more interesting. There will be a bit of friendly rivalry going on between you, Ann and I if Dan gets confirmed with Team Halfords.
;)

[Amanda]

Claire ~ I hadn't thought of that! I am sure we will be fine, after all it would be boring if we all supported the same driver.

I think it will be great to see Jason back in a touring car.

Gavin Pyper was the fastest Astra at Brands yesterday so that could make for an interesting championship.

[John]

Originally posted by Amanda
Has anyone else seen Autosport today?

Great news that Jason could be driving for GA Motorsport this season!

I think this will be very good for the championship ~ not that I am biased at all!!!!

Hope thats true as I missed him last year - if he does join GA then there should be some good races if he can get up among the works Astras (and Muller's especially!!) :) ;)

[Amanda]

John ~ if anyone can get up amongst the works Astras, Jason can! It could be a very interesting season.

I am looking forward to Mondello even more now!

[Ed- the MG fan]

Although I was never to keen on the guy, it would be intersting and great to have him back. Wouldn't sparks fly!!!!

[Reynard]

Should be interesting if it does go ahead, though I was under the impression that Mr Plato was thoroughly fed up with touring cars - the cars, the competitors and the politics, which is why he moved to ASCAR in the first place...

As for the rivalry between Amanda, Ann & Claire - I can be relied on being prefectly neutral as my favourite man is pedalling a 360 Modena N-GT in the FIA GT series. So there!

On the OTHER hand, I'm still praying that both Jay and Kel will be hammering around Rockingham in a REAL race car... ;)

[Kelvin]

The real race cars ARE touring cars, and you can expect the 1 2 3 at the end of the season to contain #4 #5 and #6. So Amanda, Ann & Claire your boys will need all the support they can get, cos all they are going to see is the twin exhausts of the MG :D

Kelvin (the original)

[Reynard]

With all due respect Kelvin, a REAL racing car has a 500 bhp Chevrolet small block in the front and drives the rear set of wheels... :D

A little birdie told me that the current tourers are a little bit like "handbags at dawn"... And I believe him given the fact that he's driven both - and a lot of other stuff besides. :)

[Amanda]

Originally posted by Reynard
Should be interesting if it does go ahead, though I was under the impression that Mr Plato was thoroughly fed up with touring cars - the cars, the competitors and the politics, which is why he moved to ASCAR in the first place...


Jason was badly misquoted in the press at the time he switched from BTCC to ASCAR. He didn't actually say most of the things he was reported to have said!

[Peter]

Great to see Jason back. The championship needs its characters and its champions!

Hell knows how GA could afford his wages!!

Amanda- I guess you will be seeing quite a bit of the man!:D

[Claire]

Originally posted by Kelvin
The real race cars ARE touring cars, and you can expect the 1 2 3 at the end of the season to contain #4 #5 and #6. So Amanda, Ann & Claire your boys will need all the support they can get, cos all they are going to see is the twin exhausts of the MG :D

Kelvin (the original)

We will see Kelvin, they were doing very well at the test and I think its great that VXRacing are going to have some very strong competition. It will also be good to see a non works car dicing up the front as well because if Jason does get the drive then that's where he will be. :D

[Amanda]

Originally posted by Peter

Amanda- I guess you will be seeing quite a bit of the man!:D

I will get to see Jason at BTCC, ASCAR and the SEAT Cupra Championship!

[Reynard]

Originally posted by Amanda
I will get to see Jason at BTCC, ASCAR and the SEAT Cupra Championship!

You'd better have a damn good supply of Jelly Bellies then m'dear :) Where would he be if you didn't provide him with suitable bribes???

At least you've not had to explain smuggling a cake out of the house for your favourite man... I got an earful for pulling that little stunt last year.

[Kelvin]

Reynard I put it to you that if it were not for KB, you would have no interest in ASCAR!! If KB drove a Citroen 2CV it would be the best racing!!


Of course I'm winding you up a little!! :D

HP alone does not make a race car, it all relative to the cars around you wheter they are 100bhp or 500bhp.

Kelvin

[Amanda]

Originally posted by Reynard
You'd better have a damn good supply of Jelly Bellies then m'dear :) Where would he be if you didn't provide him with suitable bribes???


I think that might be too many Jelly Bellies even for Jason!

[touring fan]

Something about "Jason Plato" and "Independant team" doesn't quite fit somehow. I guess it just shows that the new rules are working. I hope he does come back, it'll certainly make things that little bit more interesting.

[Stuart]

I have to admit, love him or loathe him, you just have to have people like Jason in the BTCC.

If he can beat the works boys it'll certainly cause more than just a stir thats for sure!

Good on ya Jason - welcome back!

[Les]

though it is always good to hear a past champion is coming back I am dismayed to see the comments already in the press and on the forums. Reading all the 'quotes' and comments it seems the teams are deliberately fueling a battle right from the start between Vauxhall and GA, manufacturers and independants.

Personally I enjoyed last years good natured but mirror clashing racing and have no desire to see cars punted across fields by anyone. No team and especially independants can afford new body panels every meeting.

But there again, whilst Vauxhall, Mg and GA etc are punting hell out of ech other my Hondas can just rake up the points....

[Ann]

I think this will be fantastic if it comes off. It will be great to see Jason back in the BTCC & how ironic that he would be driving Muller's Astra! :p

So now I have two "maybe, possibly" drivers this year - Jason & Dan. Fingers crossed they both become confirmed drivers very soon!

[Alan]

I think you are reading far too much into this Les.

Nobody (except, to a degree, James T) has said anything about anybody punting anyone off into the fields. There is going to be much closer racing this year I believe and "your" Hondas will hopefully be part of it. I am sure "your" teams and drivers will not be pottering around at the back waiting for everyone else to punt each other off. Matt, Alan Morrison and Tom Chilton just are not hanging back type drivers - nor is James Kaye.

There will of course be a certain amount of stirring up between now and the start of the season, and supporters on this and other forums will no doubt contribute to that. But at the end of the day "stirring up" is all it is and it should be kept in proportion and context.

The (possible) return of Jason is to be applauded and encouraged and I think it is a credit to him and an indication of his character that he is considering coming back with GA. He will be one of few independants capable of taking the battle to the works teams - Matt is of course "works" now!!!

Re earlier discussion about comments Jason was supposed to have made when he left Touring cars, all he really said was that the new generation of cars were very easy to drive compared to the Super Tourers and he did not find them such a challenge to drive. I remember he commented that even Amanda could put in a good time with a bit of practise but I think he was overstating things there a bit - but you get my point.:D

Better stop now or Reynard will be thinking I am after the "longest post" title!!!!:eek: :)

[The Stig]

My word, more friendly banter than usual on here tonight - scurrilous accusations from Kelvin. Is Jason Plato confirmed ?
At what point must driver line ups be announced/confirmed, if not already? Hope this snippet turns out to be true. Plato back, driving whatever, will hugely benefit the BTCC, which I honestly reckon is getting stronger and stronger. He certainly seems to be one for the ladies. How many of our female participants welcomed this info I wonder ?

[thommo_fan]

if the deal comes off then its great news for the btcc, i'm not plato's biggest fan but the btcc needs characters like jason.
and the racing would never be dull with him around.

[bramble]

Jason has the biggest profile of any BTCC driver, and his return can only be a good thing, in terms of racing and publicity.

I like him, but if everyone did then it wouldnt be as good to watch.

[cav1995]

I would be great to see Jason back. I wonder how many of those infamous misfires he'll get driving Mullers old car.

[Amanda]

It will be interesting to see if the car continues to suffer from mysterious misfires ~ I think not!:D

[Reynard]

Originally posted by Les
my Hondas can just rake up the points....

Didn't know you owned a BTCC team, Les ;) I was always under the impression that the Hondas were run by Mike Earle and Arena...

*headscratch*

[Les]

my hubby always says I would be in heaven if all the boys (and girls) I follow were in one team!!!

[Alan]

It would be a big team Les!!!:D

Meanwhile - back on the subject of this thread I hope JP's deal with GA does come off and we see him in Ireland. Just have to keep our fingers crossed I guess, but not long now.

The words cat and pigeons come to mind.

[bramble]

looking back at the 2001 review Jason Plato definantly bought an eliment to the racing which seemed to dissappear with him in 02.

[Amanda]

I know I am biased but I think it would be great for the championship to have Jason back! The series needs characters like him.

[lauz]

it would be great to see jason back in the BTCC.

[cos]

According to Autosport, Plato will join GA from Brands Hatch onwards.

[thommo_fan]

thats very good news, i would have already known that but i didn't get my autosport today, and i won't get it tomorrow because theres no post.

[V6.]

Originally posted by Reynard
With all due respect Kelvin, a REAL racing car has a 500 bhp Chevrolet small block in the front and drives the rear set of wheels... :D

A little birdie told me that the current tourers are a little bit like "handbags at dawn"... And I believe him given the fact that he's driven both - and a lot of other stuff besides. :)

However exciting ascar may be at the moment (and it is) i think right hand corners, rain, a multitude of tracks and not stopping every time someone spins it is better. :)

[AussieV8]

To read the news in Auto Action here about Jason was great thats like Peter Brock has just announced he is coming out of retirement. He will be racing in the Nations Cup series in a red Monaro and then backing up in the Bathurst 24hr so look out Mosler here we come again. :D

[Amanda]

Only received my Autosport today! The article says that GA are hoping to get a deal together so that Jason will be racing at Brands Hatch. Fingers crossed it all works out.

[kestrel]

BRILLIANT !!!!!!!!!

I'll DEFINITELY be at Brands now that Jason Plato is back !

Can't wait ! FANTASTIC news.

Welcome back Jason, it hasn't been the same without you.:cool:

[Peter]

Jason brought a lot of fans, controversy and excitement to the series. It's great to see him back for what will already be an outstanding day of racing! Roll on May 5...

[j_west]

Who will Plato be racing for before brands or is'nt he:rolleyes: :D :cool: :eek:


Go Plato http://www.toca-tour.net/gallery/2001_Photos/R_07-08_Silverstone/platowins.JPG

[John]

Originally posted by j_west
Who will Plato be racing for before brands or is'nt he:rolleyes: :D :cool: :eek:


Go Plato http://www.toca-tour.net/gallery/2001_Photos/R_07-08_Silverstone/platowins.JPG

Well Brands is the next race anyway so thats not an issue :rolleyes: