BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

JASON Plato paid tribute to champion Colin Turkington after he had to settle for second place in the standings following an eventful final round at Brands Hatch.

The Oxford driver was a long shot heading into the last three races of the season.

Despite winning the opening race, Plato’s challenge was ended by Turkington’s third-place finish.

Plato had no complaints, particularly with the consolation of helping his MG KX Clubcard Fuel Save team, based at Greatworth, near Banbury, to win the manufacturers’ title.

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He said: “Colin, the car and the team are world class – I’ve said it a few times that it would’ve been wrong for him to have a disaster.

“This is his moment, he deserves it and he needs to enjoy the moment.

“The most important thing for us is the manufacturers’ title.

“It’s a fantastic result, I’m dead chuffed, it’s been a great effort from Triple Eight and MG.

“Just reward for three years hard work? I think so.

“As a team, we’ve done a brilliant job.

“To come from not having a shell six weeks before the first race in 2012 to where we are last year and this year, we’ve been the dominant force.”

Plato also crossed the line first in race two, but the celebrations were short-lived and the stewards demoted him to 13th place for his part in a collision which left Turkington shunted off into the gravel.

As it was his third reprimand of the season, the two-time BTCC champion had to start the third race from the back of the grid.

He rounded off the season with seventh place, 35 points adrift of Turkington in the standings.

STANDINGS

Drivers: 1 C Turkington 434pts, 2 J Plato 399, 3 G Shedden 349, 4 M Jackson 316, 5 A Jordan 310.

Manufacturers: MG/Triple Eight 950pts, Honda/Dynamics 855.

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