ParcFerme.Com

The two drivers last week completed more than 300 trouble-free miles of testing with their cars at Brands Hatch – scene of this coming Sunday’s (30 March) opening rounds. The Kent circuit has proved to be a happy hunting ground for SEAT with its petrol-fuelled Leons in recent seasons – in 2006 it won all three opening rounds and won twice more on the opening race day of 2007.

But while SEAT’s diesel engine is a proven winner in the World Touring Car Championship, it remains to be seen if it can have a similar effect on the twistier UK tracks used in the BTCC.

Plato and Turner have also had to adjust their driving styles to wring the most out of the turbocharged diesel motor that operates on a much lower rev range than its petrol-engined rivals but produces greater torque, although both drivers are upbeat about their chances.

Plato, entering his ninth BTCC season and who just missed out last year on adding a second Drivers’ title to his 2001 crown, said: “The early signs show that the Leon TDI has huge potential, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of finding out what makes it tick.

“Technically, it’s a very exciting project to work on, as we have to re-learn everything we did before with the petrol-engined Leon. It really is a very different car, and the set-ups that were so successful over the last two seasons, where the Leon won 20 BTCC races, will have to be completely reworked.

“The turbocharged TDI has plenty of torque and there is a lot more weight over the front axle, so set-up is different and I’ve had to change my driving style. It’s a fun car to drive and it’s a car that can win races in the BTCC, but right now we have a lot more to learn before we find the most competitive package. That said, we’ll be at Brands Hatch to try and win.”

Turner, sixth in last year’s BTCC with three race wins, added: “It’s a lot different to anything I’ve ever driven before and you really have to change your driving technique. For instance, you have to be very smooth and drive it just under the limit because if you hit the power too hard the turbo and torque make the car understeer and you have to back off… and once you’ve eased off and come back on the throttle you’ve lost all momentum.

“The car is also very quiet; we’ve had to move the rev lights on the dashboard so we can see when to change up, because you can’t hear the engine – and that for me is very unusual.