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| Jason Plato | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jason Plato |
| Caption | Plato in 2014 |
| Birth date | 1967-07-24 |
| Birth place | London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Racing driver, Television presenter, Entrepreneur |
Jason Plato is a British racing driver and television presenter best known for his extensive career in touring car racing and long-standing association with popular automotive broadcasts. He is a two-time champion of the British Touring Car Championship, a frequent competitor in endurance and sprint events, and a familiar face on automotive television programs and motorsport commentary. Plato’s career spans karting, single-seaters, touring cars and media work, linking him with numerous teams, manufacturers, broadcasters and commercial partners.
Plato was born in London and raised in Croydon and later Dover, where his early exposure to motorsport followed family interests in karting and club racing. He began competitive karting at a young age in regional British karting championships and progressed to formula racing in junior single-seater categories. His formative motorsport education included stints in Formula Ford and other UK junior series, learning racecraft alongside contemporaries who moved into national and international motorsport. During this period Plato also balanced vocational training and early work in the automotive sector, which informed later ties to broadcasting and commercial partnerships.
Plato’s professional racing career broadened from single-seaters into touring cars and sports cars, linking him with prominent teams and manufacturers across multiple championships. He made a name in British national series before stepping into higher-profile categories, often competing at circuits such as Silverstone Circuit, Donington Park, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Thruxton Circuit. Over the years he drove for works and independent operations, partnering with marquee names in British motorsport, and taking part in endurance events at venues including Spa-Francorchamps and Nürburgring. His racecraft and consistent results led to full seasons in headline championships and guest appearances in international series.
Plato is principally recognised for his long association with the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), where he became one of the most prolific winners in series history. He won BTCC titles with manufacturer-backed teams and privateer entries, often contending with rivals from SEAT Sport, Vauxhall, Honda, Team Dynamics, MG, BMW, and Toyota-aligned efforts. Across seasons he accumulated race victories, pole positions and fastest laps at circuits such as Croft Circuit, Snetterton Circuit, Knockhill Racing Circuit and Rockingham Motor Speedway. Plato’s championship campaigns included tactical battles against drivers from teams like Yokohama-backed entrants, and he featured in headline moments at high-profile rounds such as those supporting Silverstone grands prix and national motorsport festivals. His BTCC career also intersected with regulatory eras including the Super Touring era, BTC Touring regulations, and the later NGTC formula, exemplifying adaptability to changing technical and sporting rules.
Beyond BTCC, Plato competed in diverse motorsport disciplines, taking part in events such as the 24 Hours of Silverstone, sprint races for historic touring cars, and selected rounds of international series. He made guest appearances in championships including UK-based club endurance series and occasional entries in World Touring Car Championship rounds and one-off races at circuits like Donington Park National Circuit and Zandvoort. His versatility saw him team with co-drivers from GT racing backgrounds and test machinery for manufacturers during development programmes at proving grounds associated with companies such as Prodrive and M-Sport. Plato also participated in charity races and celebrity motorsport events, aligning with organisations and causes across the UK motorsport community.
Plato established a parallel career in broadcasting, becoming a presenter and pundit on automotive and motorsport programmes for broadcasters including BBC, ITV, and specialised cable channels. He contributed to flagship shows that covered vehicle reviews, road tests, and motorsport analysis, and frequently narrated technical segments, provided trackside commentary, and appeared on panel programmes. His television work extended to mainstream daytime and prime-time features, automotive live events, and digital media content linked to manufacturers and aftermarket brands. Plato also produced multimedia presentations for corporate partners and appeared on radio programmes alongside presenters from outlets such as BBC Radio 5 Live.
Complementing his sporting and broadcast careers, Plato engaged in commercial ventures and endorsements with automotive retailers, parts suppliers, and lifestyle brands. He worked with tyre manufacturers, performance parts companies, and vehicle franchises, endorsing products and lending expertise for marketing campaigns. Plato’s business activities included driver coaching services, corporate hospitality packages at circuits like Silverstone Circuit and Brands Hatch, and involvement in driver training programmes run in association with driving schools and automotive clubs. He also collaborated with event organisers for track days and motorsport experiences aimed at enthusiasts and corporate clients.
Off-track, Plato has maintained interests in classic cars, automotive engineering, and consumer motoring technologies, often showcasing private-collection vehicles at club meetings and concours events. He has lived in locations across southern England, retaining ties to regional motorsport communities in Kent and Surrey. Plato has participated in charitable activities and community initiatives linked to motorsport charities and road-safety campaigns, and he remains an active figure at motorsport social events and industry gatherings.
Category:British racing drivers Category:English television presenters