The MG KX Momentum 99 Racing team look a 1-2 and a 1-3 finish during the season finale of the 2013 British Touring Car Championship to sign off the year in style.
Having taken their fifth front row lock out in qualifying with Jason Plato taking Pole Position number 4, the team built on that with a double podium finish for both Plato and team-mate Tordoff.
“We came in to the meeting in fifth place and we walked away in third position, so we have to be content with that,” Ian Harrison, Team Principal said. “We took another couple of wins, a one-two and a one-three and another pole position. That’s a pretty good checklist.
“We have learned more thing about the car which is going to be useful for next season. We have signed off the year in style.”
Jason Plato took wins 81 and 82 of his British Touring Car Championship career as he secured a top three finish in the drivers’ Championship at Brands Hatch.
Having arrived 49 points behind Championship Leader Andrew Jordan, the double win meant that Plato was one of three drivers in with a shout of the title heading into the final race of the campaign.
“The whole team was performing to its maximum this weekend and we reaped the rewards,” said Plato, who finished the season as the most successful driver with 8 race victories. “I knew the championship was a long shot coming in to the event but we gave it our all and third place in the drivers’ points is a solid result.”
Plato was also pleased with the performance of the car in the wet conditions – something which the team struggled in throughout the 2012 campaign.
“We have learned some things about the wet-weather set-up of the MG6 and we’ve left no stone unturned this weekend,” continued Plato. “That was a pleasing aspect and we did everything that we could. The performance that we unlocked is something that gives us a good direction for next season. The signs are very positive.”
Team-mate Tordoff arrived at Brands Hatch with nothing to play for – he couldn’t break into the top five of the drivers’ Championship while he couldn’t finish any lower than sixth.
He took a third place finish in the first race before backing Plato up in race 2 – the fourth 1-2 finish of the season for the team before a disappointing end to the season after hitting the tyres on the opening lap of the race. He bounced back to finish 12th.
“The car was like a rocket ship in the third race, even though it was bent like a banana after the contact,” said Tordoff. “I am convinced that I would have been able to get on to the podium at least – maybe even have won.
“It was a shame, because it has been a strong weekend for us. We have sorted out our wet performance and the car is good wet and dry now, which is an encouraging sign. I have really enjoyed my first season in the BTCC and I feel I can walk away with my head held high,” concluded Tordoff, who finishes the 2013 campaign with 1 win and five other podium finishes.