Seat – 2006 BTCC Manufacturer Champions

Seat is really on a roll! Not only are UK sales up by 15% compared with last year, but in motor sport the brand yesterday (Sunday 15th October) won the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship Manufacturers’ title for the first time.

In only its third season of participation, and the first with the new Leon, SEAT scored 11 wins and 24 podium finishes in the 30 races to beat its nearest rival by 44 points. SEAT Sport UK team driver Jason Plato also finished runner-up in the BTCC Drivers’ standings.

For the first time this season, all three team drivers – Jason, James Thompson and Darren Turner – raced together, and they celebrated winning the BTCC title in style by finishing in formation at the end of the 30th and final race of the season.

An elated Jason Plato said: ‘Everyone at SEAT Sport UK has worked incredibly hard, and to beat Vauxhall, which has had a stranglehold on the title since 2001 and never really looked like it was ever going to have it taken away, is a phenomenal achievement.’

SEAT also still has the opportunity to shine on the World Touring Car stage, with the final race weekend showdown due to be held in Macau on 19th November. And James Thompson, who has been racing in both the BTCC and WTCC this year, still has a chance with the Drivers’ title, along with eight other drivers. James said: ‘It’s a bit of a long shot, but mathematically we can do it and as long as that holds true I’ll be out there trying.’

SEAT UK Director Peter Wyhinny enthused: ‘There’s a real buzz about SEAT right now. Not only are sales up significantly compared with last year, thanks to some great new products, but we have now won this prestigious title. Winning the BTCC Manufacturers’ trophy is a perfect demonstration of the sporty values of SEAT, and sets the scene nicely for the Leon Cupra’s arrival early next year.’