SEAT checks in with Holiday Inn for 2008 BTCC

Holiday Inn will sponsor SEAT Sport UK's team in the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship, and with the arrival of the first manufacturer-entered diesel race car in the series, the Leon TDI will run with a brand new green and yellow colour scheme.

Holiday Inn, which is part of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and SEAT have enjoyed a successful partnership before, as the world's most recognised hotel chain was title sponsor to the SEAT Cupra Championship in 2003 and 2004. With hotels ideally located close to the UK's major racing circuits, it has become the hotel of choice for many race teams and fans that follow the BTCC and other championships. Both SEAT Leon TDI racers, driven by Jason Plato and Darren Turner, will carry prominent Holiday Inn branding, as the 2006 BTCC Manufacturers' and 2007 BTCC Teams' Champion changes its colour scheme for the first time.

Since joining the BTCC in 2004, SEAT Sport UK has contested 120 races, winning 33, recording 83 podiums and scoring 2,245 Manufacturers' points.

This year will be Jason's fifth consecutive season with the Northampton-based squad. The 2001 Champion has a good record with SEAT in the BTCC Drivers' standings, finishing runner-up twice (2006 and '07), 3rd in 2004 and 4th in 2005. Jason made his BTCC race debut in 1997 and since then has contested 246 races, amassed 1921 points and scored 38 wins - making him the second highest race winning driver in the history of the series. He was the only driver to score points in all 30 races in 2007 and he won the British Racing Drivers' Club Silver Star award for a record third time.

Darren made his BTCC debut with SEAT in 2006 and has contested 45 races, winning three and scoring 201 points. He finished 6th overall in the 2007 series, which was his first full season in the BTCC. He also has an amazing qualifying record, starting from the front row five times out of ten - two of which were from pole position.

Chris Hale, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, EMEA at IHG, said: "Having had a successful partnership with SEAT in the 2003 and 2004 SEAT Cupra Championship, we are delighted to renew our relationship for the 2008 BTCC season. Holiday Inn and SEAT both share a history of dynamic marketing and innovation in their respective sectors and we look forward in joining forces to push the boundaries both on and off the track."

Scott Dennis, SEAT UK Motorsport Manager: "We are very pleased that Holiday Inn has chosen SEAT Sport UK as its partner in the BTCC for the 2008 season. The partnership comes at an exciting time, as not only is the BTCC celebrating its 50th anniversary, but SEAT will be the first manufacturer in that time to enter a diesel powered car. I'm confident that as the relationship matures through the season, SEAT Sport UK and Holiday Inn will be at the forefront of all that happens in and around the Championship."