Former champion Jason...

Former champion Jason Plato has vowed to pull out all the stops in a no-holds-barred bid to capture this year’s Auto Express-backed Dunlop British Touring Car Championship.

SEAT has confirmed that Plato will spearhead its two-pronged attack on the 2007 tin-top series, and the 39-year-old is determined to depose arch-rival and reigning champ Matt Neal.

Plato, who has been a key member of the SEAT squad since its entry into the BTCC with the Toledo in 2004, finished runner-up to Neal last year in his first campaign with the Spanish company’s latest Leon racer.

Now with a full season of competition under the new car’s belt, the 2001 champ has set his sights on lifting a second BTCC drivers’ title, as well as defending the manufacturers’ crown which he helped SEAT to win in 2006.

“We had hardly any time to test the new Leon in the UK before the start of the 2006 season, yet we proved that we could still be competitive at most of the circuits,” Plato said. “I believe we will start 2007 in a much stronger position. I have no doubt that if we work hard and do a good job, we will win.” Although making predictions is never wise in the BTCC, continuity is sure to be a strong suit for SEAT.

All three of its key rivals are switching to S2000-spec cars. Vauxhall will unveil a new Vectra at this week’s Auto- sport Show in Birmingham, and Team RAC is ditching its MGs for two BMWs from the World Touring Car Champion- ship. The plans of title holder Matt Neal’s Team Halfords remain a mystery.