Jason Plato will reclaim his spot on the British Touring Automobile Championship (BTCC) grid after a 12-month sabbatical, having retained his seat with Energy Maxed Automobile Care Racing.
Energy Maxed ran a single Vauxhall Astra as an unbiased entry for the disrupted 2020 season after 98-time race winner Plato dropped out to focus his sources on the 2021 marketing campaign. It should return to fielding a two-car entry this 12 months however has but to verify its second driver.
Two-time champion Plato, who hasn’t raced since profitable the final occasion of the 2019 season, has competed within the BTCC virtually continuously since 1997, taking a break in 2002 and 2003 to compete in inventory automotive racing.
The 53-year-old hopes to attain his landmark a centesimal victory with Energy Maxed within the 2021 season and can make his 600th race begin when the primary spherical will get beneath method at Thruxton.
Plato stated: “Clearly 2020 was lower than ultimate for many people, nevertheless it gave me time to place numerous issues into perspective.
“I used to be fortunate sufficient to have the ability to spend much more time than I usually would at residence with the household, however I’m itching to get again in a race automotive now. It’s the longest I’ve been with out racing, and it’s made me admire simply how a lot I adore it, and I’ve actually missed my staff.
“I’m excited in regards to the future with Energy Maxed Automobile Care Racing; profitable the ultimate race in 2019 has lit a fireplace beneath me, so I’m greater than able to get again out and win my a centesimal race.”
The 2021 BTCC season will start later than deliberate, on 8 Might, however is about to nonetheless run a 30-race calendar throughout 10 occasions.
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