SEAT Sport UK’s prediction of a difficult qualifying session proved correct at Donington Park today, when Jason Plato, James Pickford and Luke Hines set the 6th, 8th and 10th best times respectively ahead of tomorrow’s opening round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. Running with a base weight of 1140kgs, all three drivers drew the maximum out of their SEAT Toldeo Cupras.

Plato said: “I knew we’d be six-tenths off the pace before qualifying had even started and that’s exactly what’s happened. I did the best I could. The balance of the car is really good, it’s as good as it can get, but it’s impossible to go any faster under the circumstances.”

James said: “It was like driving with Big Daddy on board, but just being here in the BTCC is so great that I can’t complain! The main aim for me at the moment is to learn as much as possible over the next couple of race meetings so I can come on strong towards the middle of the season, which is what Rob Huff did last year. Tomorrow I just plan to try and enjoy myself and get as much as possible out of the car and myself.”

Luke said: “We still have quite a bit of work to do on set-up ahead of tomorrow, as we didn’t seem to get enough out of the car during qualifying. Obviously we’ve got a heavy car at the moment and there is still some more pace to come. Between the three of us, we have great potential to score points over the weekend and the plan for tomorrow is to push as hard as possible.”

Scott Dennis, SEAT UK National Motorsport Manager, said: “Having started qualifying at the regulation weight of 1140kgs, we are exactly where we expected to be with our three cars.”