Jason Plato - Any News?

[R5CPD]

Before the season started there was alot of gossip about Jason Plato returning to the championship in one of the GA Motorsport Astra's. :)

Now that we are a few weeks into the season, this story seems to have gone quiet. I was wondering if anyone here who has their ear to the ground knew what was going on? Is this deal going to happen or is it just another example of the paddock rumour mill!! ;)

[thommo_fan]

don't know, i think he is meant to be at thruxton.
but if jason plato isn't in the car then surely GA could put another paying driver in the car, it seems such a waste having a astra sitting in a garage collecting dust.

i was watching the coverage of the first round of the ascar championship last night and and plato wasn't there either, anyone know why?

[Ed- the MG fan]

I was talking to Rob Collard at brands, and he said that Gary should have done what he did ad found adequate funging before even purchsaing the cars from tripple 8, because it leaves to firm in a very vulnerable position

I really want to see plato racing, but I really doubt it will happen

[Nikki P]

I doubt he'll be at Thruxton as it clashes with the Seat Cupra's at Silverstone, but I would imagine he'll be available from Rockingham onwards seen as though he's no longer in ASCAR.

[Rob]

Originally posted by Nikki P
I doubt he'll be at Thruxton as it clashes with the Seat Cupra's at Silverstone, but I would imagine he'll be available from Rockingham onwards seen as though he's no longer in ASCAR.


whys he not in ascar

[Amanda]

Jason is not the only 'big name' driver not doing ASCAR this year. Kelvin Burt, Darren Manning, Darren Turner and Nic Minassian are not there either.

[touring fan]

Slightly off the point but- didn't he have at least another year left on his contract and wasn't he doing it to get some experience to try for NASCAR? Why the apparent change of direction (so to speak).

[R5CPD]

I tried to find out what was happening with JP by taking a look on his official website, but that was currently down for 'maintenance'. :(

Sounds as if Plato's racing career is undergoing a bit of 'maintenance' as well!! ;)

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

:( I have a nasty feeling that this will be the same story as the second lexus we were always promised where we were repeatedly told it would be out later on but it never happened.

Jason needs a drive but its wether the funding is in place to support him? Surely a sponsor could be found for a former champion?

[Amanda]

I don't think saying that Jason 'needs a drive' is a very accurate description. When I spoke to him recently he had plenty to keep him busy, including his work with SEAT.

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

i'll correct myself,

He's proberbly looking for a more high profile drive.

[thommo_fan]

isn't jason being linked with a drive for SEAT in the ETCC next year?

[Amanda]

Originally posted by thommo_fan
isn't jason being linked with a drive for SEAT in the ETCC next year?

Yes! If you believe everything you read in Autosport :D

[Sim_Da_BTCC_Man]

Originally posted by Amanda
Yes! If you believe everything you read in Autosport :D

This is true. :rolleyes:

I heard a strange rummor that he would be at SEAT in the BTCC. I think the person in concern got muddled.

TouringLegend :rolleyes: ;)

[touringlegend]

Huh. me?

Yeh remember saying that to u though sim, was speculating as there was (yet another autosport article!!) saying that Seat was looking at the BTCC for 2004 as well as the ETCC. I thought maybe Jason is getting back into the swing of things this year in preparation for a works seat in 2004. (2+2=5 of course)

[Amanda]

In todays Autosport it says that Jason won't be racing at Thruxton this weekend (I think we had already worked that out!). It does say that Gary Ayles still intends to run the car for Jason at some stage this season.

[touringlegend]

I read somewhere he'll definitely be out at Silverstone - he's busy this weekend with the SEAT championship and apparently Silverstone is the first free slot on his diary.

He seem's to have abandoned the ASCAR programme. So much for wanting to break into America. :rolleyes: I assume Seats chequebook converted his beliefs back to Touring Cars..

[Amanda]

I can't comment at the moment!:D

[R5CPD]

Whatever he's driving, it's good to hear that he'll be back with the Championship before too long.

Jason Plato was certainly one of the most entertaining BTCC drivers in the last few years. :)

[The Stig]

Second that. For me the sooner the better.

[Peter]

According to yesterday's Autosport Magazine, Gavin Pyper is also running on a race-by-race basis. Not all is rosy for GA Motorsport.

[pirie]

After the accident today it would seem that Gavin Pyper might not be top of the list with GA motorsport. Although it was a touch and go accident excuse the pun.

[Le Mans]

It certainly was a big accident and put several front runners out of the race but was Gavin Pyper to blame? I thought it may have been a Halford's Peugeot that caused it but I am not sure. Will have to watch the video recording later.
:)

[pirie]

On looking at the race again i agree not sure that it was Gavin P fault at all. It was such a quick incident.

[nitromaster]

Plato is unlikely to race the Astra at Silverstone - the reason is because Howell will be racing it instead. :)

So hopefully then, provided Pyper runs, we will see two GA Astra touring cars running at Silverstone......

[touringlegend]

Cool! Good choice, even though I know Gareth will have had to find the budget.