Jason Plato was educated at Kings School in Tynemouth and began his motor racing career on local kart circuits in the North East 26 years ago, so it’s easy to see why he considers this weekend’s Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship meeting at Croft circuit something of a homecoming. Trips down memory lane will be put on hold, however, as he and his SEAT Sport UK team-mates James Pickford and Luke Hines aim for race wins in Rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the series, which take place at the North Yorkshire track on Sunday (17th July).

SEAT scored its first race win of the season at Oulton Park, but equally pleasing was its strong all-round performance which saw the team out-score its rivals in the Manufacturers’ Championship. The aim is even higher at Croft. The Toledo Cupra is well suited to the demanding Croft track – last year it dominated the meeting by finishing 1st and 2nd in two out of the three races – and having tasted victory at the previous race meeting, SEAT returns to Croft in confident mood.

It’s also a crucial time in this year’s BTCC, as this weekend’s three races will bring the first half of the 30-round season to a close.

Jason said: “We had a fantastic result at Croft last year and we've got to try to emulate that. I was brought up in Newcastle Upon Tyne, went to Kings School in Tynemouth and started racing karts nearby, so I consider Croft my home circuit in many ways and I’ll get a chance to catch up with the old friends I don't see very often while I'm there. Croft is a great track - it's got a bit of everything, there's a good rhythm to it and there are some good overtaking opportunities.

“We have to look at our performance and results at Oulton Park as a stepping stone and build on that. At this stage in the Championship it’s important to keep out-scoring our rivals at each race meeting and whilst it’s a very tough task, that’s what we’ll be trying to do. We want to win this weekend, end of story.”

James said: “It really all started to come together well at Oulton Park. The Toledo Cupra was very good, the best it’s been all year in fact, and it had lots of front end grip – exactly how I expected a touring car to feel like. It’s getting towards the halfway point in the series, so I’ve had enough time in the car to be able to begin to make my mark. I know what I have to do in qualifying and I’ll have a good chance at scoring my best BTCC result if everything comes together again at Croft.

“I really like the Croft circuit. Last year in the SEAT Cupra Championship I was fastest in all the test sessions, started from pole in both races and broke the lap record twice – once in the first Cupra race and then again in the second. It’s been a good circuit to me in the past and last year SEAT proved that the Toledo works well there as well.”

Luke said: “The start of the season was pretty hard, but it’s all coming together really well. The Toledo Cupra is coming along well, we’re improving it all of the time and we’re getting closer to the pace so I’m pretty happy to be honest. I’ve had a bit of bad luck and I’ve enjoyed some good performances, but that’s racing and you have to just knuckle down and get on with it.

“I think we can do very well at Croft this weekend. I’ve raced there half a dozen times and won a Formula Ford race, and SEAT proved last year that the Toledo Cupra works well around Croft. The most important thing is to out-score our rivals in the Manufacturers’ Championship - last year SEAT scored two one-two results, so we’re going up there to try and do the same.”

A 30 minute qualifying session takes place for Round 13 at Croft circuit on Saturday 16th July at 15.20, with three 15 lap races on Sunday, beginning at 12.01, 14.30 and 16.35.