Jason Plato made his front-wheel drive return yesterday, taking to the wheel of his Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing Astra for the first time in testing ahead of the 2019 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

The two-time BTCC champion won his first title in a factory-supported Astra back in 2001, and the test day was his first experience of front-driven machinery since he finished second overall in 2015. Plato completed 56 laps of a very greasy and windy Snetterton Circuit – around the same distance as managed by Rob Collard, also a newcomer to the team, at Brands Hatch Indy last week.
 
“It felt great to be back in a front-wheel drive car again,” said Plato. “It took a few laps to get back into it, but I quickly felt at home. I’ve worked with Martin before at 888, and he’s put together a really strong team at PMR, so it’s given me even more confidence that we’re going to take the Sterling Insurance with Power Maxed Racing Astra to the pointy end from the off. Bring on Brands!”
 
Team Manager Martin Broadhurst spoke positively on the day's progress. 

“We were happy with the number of laps we got in, although the weather was less than ideal," he said. "Having worked alongside Jason before, I was confident we would receive detailed feedback straight away, which alongside the data recorded during the day means we can make the changes needed for our next test week.”

Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography