JASON Plato hailed his Silverline Subaru BMR Racing team after he put a tough start to the season behind him with three podiums at Oulton Park.

It turned out to be a weekend of celebrations for the Hertfordshire-based outfit as Plato’s teammate Colin Turkington drove his Levorg GT to victory in the second race for Subaru’s first Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship triumph.

Plato had been hopeful of an upturn in fortunes at the Cheshire track after an extensive testing session at Pembrey in Wales.

And it seemed the modifications paid off as the 48-year-old, from Oxford, qualified sixth before recording a hat-trick of third places.

After finishing behind Turkington in the first two races, two-time champion Plato grabbed another place on the rostrum in the third, benefiting from Tom Ingram and Josh Cook’s battle.

Plato said: “I knew we were back in the game and that’s what makes me tick.

“We’re still not 100 per cent and still have a few tweaks to make, but the basics of the car are strong.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for the whole team and I’m absolutely chuffed for Colin (Turkington) and everybody involved.

“This project has been five years in the making and it’s been an epic journey.

“We’ve got something really special here – BMR isn’t a big team, but everybody has done a fantastic job.”